NANYTGLO WARRIORS GET SET FOR SWANSEA MEMORY WALK

Whilst thousands of people are limbering up for this weekend’s Swansea Memory Walk in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society, a team from Pontyberem’s Nantyglo Sheltered Scheme are checking their walking sticks and zimmer frames are in good shape as they prepare to take it on themselves.

The ‘Nantyglo Warriors’ are determined to complete the full 2km walk with the assistance of their walking aids, putting on a united front against the disease.

Amongst them is Malcolm Hammond, who at age 83 is the oldest member of the team. He said: “I am a sufferer of this disease and I’m doing this walk to help fund a cure – it might not come in my lifetime but something needs to be done to help others.”

The tenants of Nantyglo, a sheltered scheme run by Carmarthenshire County Council, regularly support charities and agreed at this year’s annual general meeting that they would support the Alzheimer’s Society as each of them have known someone close who has suffered the cruel disease.

One of the tenants, Irene Cowdrey, said: “We need to get in more funding so that one day we will be talking about Alzheimer’s in the past tense and telling people that this disease has now been cured.”

The Nantyglo Warriors will be joining thousands of people taking part in the Swansea Memory Walk, each helping to change the lives of people affected by dementia.

The 2km walk goes round the marina and along a short stretch of Swansea’s seafront, and the longer 10km walk will continue along the bay towards Mumbles, turning at Black Pill Lido for the return leg.

Cllr Linda Evans, Executive Board Member for Housing, said: “I wish the Nantyglo Warriors all the best for Sunday’s walk – it’s no mean feat for anyone taking part, but this will be a special effort for them given that they’ll be tackling the route with the help of their walking aids.”

• Find out what support the council can provide to people affected by dementia, and how sheltered schemes can provide the perfect solution for people looking for a home to call their own, but with the added comfort of support and friendship close by.