MFC Foundation: ‘Thanks For The Memories’ Memory Walk

MFC Foundation: ‘Thanks For The Memories’ Memory Walk

Rain poured and no-one cared. Soaking conditions couldn’t dampen the spirits of anyone who took part in the inaugural MFC Foundation Memory Walk on Sunday 23rd of July.

Started by Boro legend Alan Peacock, men, women, children and dogs made the event a success. Spirits before, during and after were stoically Teesside.

Football legend Alan Peacock says he is determined to remain positive after being diagnosed with dementia and helped raise awareness of the condition when he cut the ribbon to get MFC Foundation’s Memory Walk officially underway.

“I am really pleased to have been asked to launch the walk. Being open about having dementia seems to be the right thing to do. I still don’t really understand what it is, but I’ve been told I have it, so I just have to get on with it. Dementia certainly wasn’t something I was aware of when I played football. It’s just something that has gradually started to get on top of me. I’m dealing with it as best I can and trying to carry on as normal. Fortunately, I have people around me who know more about dementia than I do, such as my daughter Diane, so that is a great comfort.”

Alan Peacock, Former Middlesbrough Football Player

The former England international scored 141 goals in 238 games for hometown club Middlesbrough between 1954 and 1964.

Hundreds of people gathered for the event which started and finished at the Riverside Stadium, walking in memory of, or to pay tribute to, a loved one.

Sponsored by the Wilton branch of SABIC, hundreds of people gathered for the event including volunteers from other organisations helping, CIC and Relph Funeral Directors joining forces with Foundation staff along the route which began and ended at the Riverside Stadium, taking in the iconic Transporter Bridge along the way. The event offered the people of Teesside and beyond, the chance to walk for someone special in their lives.

Funds were raised for the Foundation’s work with those living with dementia, and scores of other charities close to the hearts of those who walked, undaunted by the inclement conditions, smiling and vowing that they would do it all again.

Maxi’s Mates, a dog rehoming centre in Guisborough, CIC (with a stand as well as volunteers) and Prostate Cancer UK kindly supported the event and mixed with everyone outside the stadium where beats from DJ Simon Carter enlivened everyone and BBC Tees presenter Gary Philipson spoke with participants about why they were walking.

The answers were moving and simple, they were walking in memory of mums and dads, granddads and grandmas, aunties, uncles, friends and loved ones.

Mentioning the pride felt throughout and in memory of the event, MFC Foundation thanks everyone that took part in the walk.