PORT Macquarie's willingness to embrace and support Alzheimer research was on show at Sunday's Memory Walk and Jog.
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Westport Park was filled with a carnival-like atmosphere with just under 600 participants walking and jogging over various distances to raise funds and raise awareness.
Alzheimer's Australia NSW regional manager, North Coast, Gary Thomas said the Port Macquarie event again highlighted Port Macquarie's support.
"We had a variety of people involved in the event and these people shared their experiences," he said.
"Port Macquarie is leading the way nationally and achieving great things. The self-advocacy Dementia Community Support Group helps with action plans for business and also lends a hand a state level.
"St Agnes Parish has two of three schools involved in a pilot program, Dementia for Kids, which is part of the curriculum and we also have a number of community leaders involved as well.
"Of course, some of the 50 volunteers that have assisted us to set up and pull down the Westport Park site for the event also make a contribution."
Coupled with the success of the Memory Walk was the increase in the improvement of utilising dementia language in the area.
Mr Thomas said it was great to have people talking and thinking in this space.
"Today (Sunday) is about increasing much-needed funds, but it is equally about continuing to raise the community awareness about dementia too," he added.
Despite the public perception, the devastation of dementia was not totally the domain over the older population.
"Ten per cent of our client base is aged under 65 years with some as young as 44 years and one person just 18 years of age," he said.
"These people from the younger age bracket still have kids at home and may still have a mortgage. The impact (of dementia) is devastating."
Port Macquarie is acknowledged as the first to become a dementia-friendly town in Australia with the electorate among the highest numbers for dementia across the state.
Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams praised the volunteers and support crew for their efforts on the day while MC Doris Younane, kept the crowd entertained.
Mr Thomas said a quote from a video on Kids for Dementia really summed up the cause: Dealing with dementia is not amazingness, it's kindness.
For more information, go to www.memorywalk.com.au
People can still donate by visiting www.memorywalk.com.au/port-macquarie
National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500