Dementia Australia marks Melbourne Memory Walk & Jog by welcoming award-winning, comedian Geraldine Hickey as its newest Ambassador.
Geraldine was inspired to support Dementia Australia after her father was diagnosed with dementia in 2017 and her family accessed support from Dementia Australia.
“When Dad was first diagnosed with dementia, we didn’t really know where to turn. I ended up accessing The Dementia Guide through Dementia Australia and that changed everything.” Geraldine said.
“Having a better understanding of dementia is an integral part of dealing with it.”
“Sadly, we lost Dad last year. It's very mixed emotions with dementia because we had been saying goodbye to him for years.”
“I was honoured to be invited to become a Dementia Australia Ambassador and I’m really excited to share this news during Melbourne Memory Walk & Jog.”
Since 2021 Geraldine has generously supported Dementia Australia’s fundraising and awareness raising through her warm and engaging social media posts inspiring her followers to get running and donate. Last year she lent her voice to The Dementia Guide audiobook.
Recently she took part in a demonstration of EDIE VR, Dementia Australia’s award-winning Educational Dementia Immersive Experience virtual reality tool used in workshop education sessions with aged care workers nationally and internationally.
“The EDIE VR was very confronting and a real eye-opener to what it must be like to live with the challenges of dementia. It helped me to understand a bit more of what my Dad’s day-to-day reality might have been.”
Dementia Australia Chief Operating Officer Anthony Boffa said he was delighted to welcome Geraldine as a Dementia Australia Ambassador.
"I warmly welcome Geraldine's appointment as a Dementia Australia Ambassador and acknowledge her commitment to making a difference to the lives of people of all ages living with all forms of dementia, their families and carers," Mr Boffa said.
“All of our extraordinary Patrons and Ambassadors are motivated by the impact dementia has had on their own lives and volunteer their time to generously support others. They are truly an inspiration.”
The 2024 Melbourne Memory Walk & Jog is upon us, with the much-anticipated event taking place this weekend on Sunday 5 May at Princes Park, Carlton North.
Starting at 7:30am, we welcome everyone in the Melbourne community to join fellow participants as they walk, jog or run to help raise money in support of people living with dementia.
Registrations for the Melbourne Memory Walk & Jog are still open, and we would love to see as many people as possible participate to help raise funds and awareness for such an important cause.
Walk or jog with us. We are in this together.
Sign-up to walk, jog or run or join in as a volunteer at a Memory Walk & Jog event at www.memorywalk.com.au. Share your Memory Walk & Jog experience on your socials and Donate today to support people living with dementia across Australia.
Can’t attend this weekend? Organise your own group or individual walk or jog, with a My Way event. Choose your own date and location and register at www.memorywalk.com.au/get-involved/mw.
Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 421,000 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.6 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.
For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au
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Media contacts: Stephen O’Connell, Media and Communications Advisor, 0402 284 257, Stephen.Oconnell@dementia.org.au
When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines.
Note to Editors:
We request, where possible, details for the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 appear alongside news stories about dementia, as these stories often prompt questions or concerns:
If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.
