THE MAGIC number was 26 as Keighley people stepped out to raise around £2,000 for dementia care.

The sponsored walk from Leeds to Cononley, mostly along the canal, involved 26 people walking 26 miles and raising at least £26 each.

Proceeds will support the work of Dementia Friendly Keighley, which works to raise awareness of dementia and provide much-needed help for people with the condition and their carers.

Sandra Kelly, one of the organisers, said many of the walkers expected to raise far more than the £26 once the money had been collected.

She said: “We had a lovely range of walkers, not least 13-year-old Demi Duffy who walked with her grandma Shirley Wright. Demi alone has raised over £250.

“The Railway Inn in Cononley provided us with our finish point and fed us delicious chip sandwiches. We had a support team for the walk, who fed and watered us on the route and checked no-one was left behind.”

Dementia Friendly Keighley, which brings together several organisations and individuals in the town, is holding several fundraising events throughout the year.

The next one will be the annual Walk For Dementia, a 5km walk from the Airedale shopping centre to Cliffe Castle Museum on October 24, which is particularly aimed at families.

Last year’s Walk For Dementia raised £2,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society, with much of the money coming back to Keighley for local projects.

Hannah Lindsey, from Keighley Healthy Living, said this year’s walk would instead directly pay for services to help people living with dementia in the Keighley area.

She said: “Our primary focus is to create a kind of drop-in/cafe facility where carers and people with dementia can come and support each other over a cup of coffee.

“On a practical level volunteers would be available to help with shopping if needed and it could be a safe place for a carer to leave someone with dementia.”

The walk will be organised by three Dementia Friendly Keighley members, Helen Coates, Sandra Kelly and Maggie Marsden, and will include a circuit of Cliffe Castle Park, and refreshments afterwards.

Anne added: “There will be a face-painter on hand in the shopping centre and a samba band joining us on the walk to help add to the carnival atmosphere.

E-mail info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk or call Hannah at Keighley Healthy Living on 01535 677177 for information on how to join the October 24 walk.