The Sunday Post (Inverness)

Co-workers come together for Memory Walk Three touching and sad stories, but they found a way to help

-

Eric, Cathie and Laura are walking with the ScottishPo­wer team today. Renfrewshi­re, needed 24-hour care and went into a home. She died when she was 72. “I feel I could have done more for my mum and it makes me emotional,” Cathie added.

“When I saw ScottishPo­wer were getting involved in the Memory Walk it seemed like perfect timing.”

Eric’s dad, Norman, passed away two years ago from dementia, aged 87. “Now that I look back there were probably signs from when he was 80,” Eric said.

“Maybe we’re of a generation that doesn’t ask for help too often, but I would encourage it.

“If the interventi­on is early enough, it can help people living with dementia.”

Eric is part of a project team and is following in the footsteps of his dad, who worked with the energy company for 41 years. He added: “We went along to Alzheimer Scotland workshops in Glasgow and they gave us help and guidance.

“I’m looking forward to volunteeri­ng and trying to give other people support.”

Laura is doing an internship in the energy company’s marketing department and jumped at the chance of being involved after seeing how much dementia has affected her best friend’s family.

The 23-year-old from Airdrie said: “Her gran has dementia and one of the reasons I wanted to get involved is because I feel I’m struggling to help or give my friend advice.

“I’m lucky I haven’t been affected by it but I don’t know how it feels, so I thought doing this might give my friend some comfort. “She thinks it’s a great idea.” The firm’s employee involvemen­t in Memory Walks comes after the S c o t t i s h Powe r Foundation donated £ 35,000 to Alzheimer Scotland to support its Dementia Friends campaign.

 ??  ?? ■

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom