BABALO NTSINI and ALIZWA DAYILE
The Ebenezer Caregiving Centre in Gonubie is calling on the community to lace up their walking shoes and stand in solidarity with elderly people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The centre will host its ‘Ebenezer Forget Me Not’ Fundraiser Walk on September 24, as part of efforts to raise awareness about memory-related illnesses while generating much-needed funds to support its work.
The event comes as SA marks Dementia and Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in September, providing an opportunity for the community to learn more about the conditions and the challenges faced by families caring for loved ones affected by them.
The Ebenezer Caregiving Centre is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to caring for and supporting elderly people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The centre’s representative, Annette Meyer, said the walk aimed to introduce more people to the facility and remind families that support is available.
“We are going to have a walk on the main road in Gonubie,” Meyer said.
“We want to promote the fact that this facility exists and that people can make use of it if they’ve got anybody in the family that has this illness, and we are also trying to raise funds.”
The centre relies on community support to continue providing its services, making the fundraiser an important part of its efforts to sustain its work.
Adults who wish to participate must pay a R50 entry fee and complete an online entry form.
However, the organisers want the event to be accessible to everyone.
Children under 12, caregivers and wheelchair users will participate free of charge. Meyer said while fundraising was an important part of the event, the main focus was on creating awareness about the facility and the needs of those affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s.
“We want to make this walk fun, but the main objective is to be aware of this caregiving facility.
“They are a nonprofit organisation, so they really need funds,” she said.
Every registration will contribute towards the centre’s ongoing work and help it continue providing care and support to elderly residents.
For families living with dementia, the journey can be challenging, particularly as the condition can affect memory, communication, independence and everyday life.
The organisers hope the walk will encourage people to speak openly about dementia, seek assistance when needed and understand that families do not have to face the journey alone.
The event will also bring together families, friends, caregivers and community members in a show of support for those affected.
The message behind the name ‘Forget Me Not’ is particularly poignant — reminding the community that while dementia may cause people to lose memories, those living with the condition should never be forgotten.
The Ebenezer Caregiving Centre is therefore hoping to turn the streets of Gonubie into a sea of support on September 24.
Community members are encouraged to participate, bring their families and help spread awareness, while contributing towards a worthy cause.
Every step will count — towards raising funds, supporting caregivers and ensuring that those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s are remembered, valued and cared for.
