Family’s 500-mile challenge success
A Dunblane family have walked, cycled and run almost 500 miles to raise almost £800 for Dementia Friendly Dunblane.
Caroline Earnshaw, her husband Neil and sons Euan and Moray set out on a challenge throughout June to cover 490 miles - the distance from Dunblane to Thurso and back.
Both Caroline’s and Neil’s parents live inthurso and the boys were eager to rise to the challenge of getting active during lockdown.
A crowdfunding page was set up and at the end of June which saw the family raise an amazing £650 for the charity, with the final total reaching £780.
Prior to Covid-19 local hairstylist Caroline had volunteered to become a befriender for Dementia Friendly Dunblane. As she waited for the PVG check (Protection ofvulnerable Adults) she was unable to become a befriender due to the restrictions of the virus on visiting people in their own homes.
However, as lockdown progressed the PVG check arrived so she started to volunteer by helping to deliver soup and cake to elderly people in Dunblane who have been shielding and isolating.
The soup is made by the café owner of Anothertillytearooms and cakes by her staff, who all volunteered their time. To date over 3000 soups have been delivered by a team of committed volunteer drivers.
Dementia Friendly Dunblane’s coordinator Breda Seaman said: “Caroline learned that our team of volunteers have been providing amazing activities for people with dementia their carers and families for the last three years and decided she would like to give something back to support this group.
“This is a fantastic family achievement and we are very grateful for all their efforts in raising this money which will help us to continue to improve activities and services for local people with dementia.”