United captain Danny Grainger was guest of honour at the annual Walk Against Dementia in Bitts Park on Sunday as he joined over 50 volunteers and representatives from the Alzheimer’s Society who were there to both raise awareness of the illness and to raise funds to help with the fight against the condition.
Event organiser Sue Swire said: “It’s fantastic that Carlisle United and Danny Grainger have supported us in this way. There are so many families and individuals affected by these conditions and it means a lot to us that the local football club has stepped in to give us their backing.
“Funds raised can help to provide so many different services, from additional carers to vital equipment, so we are really grateful to everybody who came along on Sunday and to those who continue to donate to what is a very worthy cause.”
Speaking just before he officially opened the walk, Danny said: “You sometimes forget the impact the club and us, as players, can have just by coming along to events like this and if we can raise awareness even by just a little bit then I think that’s fantastic.
“I don’t know anybody personally who has been affected by Dementia but obviously you see and read a lot of things about it these days. When I heard that they wanted me to pop along to this walk there was absolutely no hesitation in saying yes from me.
“We know how much our local community gets behind us and I think it’s only right that we give something back as much and as often as we can. Sometimes the causes also highlight how difficult things are for people, and that can be hard to see, but it’s still very important to the players that we do what we can to help as many causes and events as possible.
“Looking around today you can see that a lot of people are affected by this illness in one way or another. In a small community like Cumbria you’re going to see so many people touched by something like this. That’s why I wanted to be here, to show as much support as I can.”
For more information, and to donate, go to www.memorywalk.org.uk