Sophie Carrigan Gray
Local Journalism Initiative
Oliver and Osoyoos residents are asked to join a hiking challenge in support of people living with dementia.
The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is challenging residents to join the virtual Climb for Alzheimer’s, which asks the people of Oliver, Osoyoos, and other communities around B.C. to come together to hike a total of 70,000 kilometres. The distance represents one kilometre for each person living with dementia in the province.
The goal of the virtual challenge is to raise funds and “show people on the dementia journey that they are not alone,” said the society’s press release.
The annual event, held for the last eight years on North Vancouver’s Grouse Grind, has been forced to go virtual due to COVID-19. This year’s event will run until World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21.
“Although the location has changed and adapted, the heart of the event remains,” said Maria Howard, Alzheimer Society of B.C. chief executive officer. “The climb continues to be a challenging, fun, invigorating event that makes a real difference to people in our province affected by dementia.”
Interested residents can get more information or register for the event at climbforalzheimers.ca. Participants can register as individuals or teams and are encouraged to share their hiking journeys online through social media. The money raised will go towards research and programs through First Link, the society’s dementia support service.
