Stepping out to help the fight against dementia

Our campaign in partnership with Bolton NHS Charitable Fund is on the road to raising £200,000 to pay for dementia-friendly facilities at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

More than 70 people will be setting off from Blackpool on Saturday evening and walking through the night to Bolton to fundraise for the campaign.

Along the way they will have the campaign's giant pound coins in tow, pulling them along in specially designed trolleys.

Andy Lee, fundraiser for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, will be taking part in the trek along with colleagues from the hospital, friends, families and volunteers.

He said: "We have got people from all walks of life taking part in the sponsored walk and I hope we can raise £5,000 through the walk.

"I have been walking 20 miles a week, in four or five mile walks, in preparation for the challenge.

"There is a lot of excitement for it from everyone taking part, we are all looking forward to it - whether we feel the same 15 miles into it, I don't know yet!"

The walk will set off from Blackpool's Solaris Centre in the South Promenade at 10pm on Saturday.

Participants will travel south to Lytham before following the River Ribble to Preston, Lostock Hall, Chorley and then the A6 to Bolton, where they hope to arrive 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.

The Donate £1 for Dementia Campaign was launched last June and families, schools, business and groups across Bolton are being urged to donate at least £1 to the appeal.

To show your support for the walkers and donate to the campaign go to campaign.justgiving.com/charity/bolton-nhs/d1fd.

You can also donate by texting DOFD15 £ (AMOUNT) to 70070 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.