A THIRTY-two mile Bolton campaign challenge is taking its first steps towards the startline with a sponsorship boost.

The University of Bolton has given its support to the charity walk in aid of our Donate £1 for Dementia campaign.

Walkers taking on an overnight 32-mile trek from Blackpool to Bolton will be donning bright t-shirts to show off their cause, provided by the university.

Volunteers are needed to take part in the walk — with more than 30 already signed up — which will raise money to make wards at the Royal Bolton Hospital ‘dementia friendly’.

Andy Lee, Fundraiser for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We’re really grateful to the University for supporting the appeal. Starting the walk in Blackpool is particularly appropriate as so many Bolton people who now suffer from dementia will have happy memories of their time by the seaside there. A lot of people have shown their support by signing up to take part but we would love to see more people join us on the journey.

"We’re raising funds to create more dementia friendly areas at the hospital so they are less like a hospital ward, more like a home.

"The numbers of people being diagnosed with dementia is on the increase because we’re living longer. We need hospitals that are ready to cope with the numbers of people that are going to come through living with dementia."

The walk will set off from Blackpool promenade at 10pm on September 10 with participants travelling through the night before arriving at Royal Bolton Hospital on Sunday at noon.

Blackpool has been chosen as the starting point due to its long-held connection with Boltonians who holidayed at the seaside resort throughout the 19th and 20th century.

University of Bolton Assistant Vice Chancellor, Bill Webster, added: "The University of Bolton is absolutely delighted to be involved and supporting the campaign, both in raising awareness of the terrible impact of dementia on families and communities as well as specifically helping raise money for the local hospital in Bolton."

The Donate £1 for Dementia campaign launched last June in partnership with Bolton NHS Charitable Fund, and aims to raise £200,000 to pay for dementia-friendly facilities at the hospital.

Families, schools, businesses and groups across Bolton are being urged to donate at least £1 to the appeal.

To donate to the campaign go to www.boltonft.nhs.uk/get-involved/charitable-giving/ or send a cheque, made out to Bolton NHS Charitable Fund, to Charitable Funds Department, Dowling House, Royal Bolton Hospital, Minerva Road, Bolton, BL4 0JR.

If you are interested in joining the walk visit boltonft.nhs.uk/get-involved/charitable-giving/, or contact Andy Lee on 01204 390356 or email andy.lee@boltonft.nhs.uk