Residents, care teams, and contractors at Madley Park House, collectively walked, jogged and ran more than 50 miles overnight to raise funds in support of dementia awareness.

Home Manager Niki Rowlands kicked-off the virtual walk on a treadmill in the care home, followed by Chef Janet Miles, Activities Co-ordinator Charleigh Hyatt and Day Carers Chile Kaonde and Mari Bretherton. Other members of the team, plus regional support staff and contractors also got involved to help Madley Park achieve their target. The walk continued through the night, with Night Carers Emmanual Olorunnishola and Olubola Fadeyi beating all other participants for the fastest mile. 

Barbara Armstrong (picture below), age 68, lives at Madley Park House and took part in the walk. She said: “This care home really rocks and rolls. I absolutely loved being a part of this fundraiser – the company and the cause, and the dancing. It was great fun! I was up for hours and I’m not usually.”

OSJCT runs 18 care homes and 6 extra care housing schemes across Oxfordshire, and the total distance covered – 50.2 miles to be precise - represents the distance from OSJCT’s most northern home in the county, Larkrise Care Centre in Banbury, to its most southern home, Chilterns Court in Henley-on-Thames.

To add to the challenge, participants changed outfits every hour, with costumes including Tweety Pie and the Masked Singer, as well as comfy pyjamas. 

The fundraiser took place during Dementia Action Week, with the care home donating all money raised to Dementia UK, the specialist dementia charity. OSJCT’s team of dementia-specialist nurses, called Admiral Nurses, are supported by Dementia UK and provide life-changing care for residents and families affected by all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, as well as support and advice to care teams at the Trust.

Niki said: "I am always incredibly proud of my team. The way they come together for initiatives like this showcases the amazing teamwork and dedication we have here. Our team always rises to the occasion, and this event was no exception. The team’s enthusiasm and hard work have truly made a difference."