Brooke House Care Home manager beats the heat to conquer 26-mile coastal trek for her residents living with dementia

The manager of a Norfolk care home has completed a gruelling 26-mile trek along the North Norfolk coast in aid of Alzheimer’s Society — and says she did it to honour her residents living with dementia.

Oana Lungan, manager of Kingsley Healthcare’s Brooke House Care Home, in the village of Brooke, near Norwich, took on the Trek26 Norfolk Coast challenge on Saturday, raising £350 in sponsorship for the charity.

The marathon-distance walk, organised by Alzheimer’s Society, started and finished in the grand setting of Holkham Hall, with the picturesque route taking in such delights of the North Norfolk coast as Burnham Overy Staithe, Holkham Beach and Wells-next-the-Sea.

Mrs Lungan, who has worked in social care for 12 years and took over as manager of Brooke House last year, said: “Because I have worked with people living with dementia for so many years, the charity is very close to my heart. I would like to thank everyone who supported me in this challenge, including friends, residents’ families and colleagues.”

The scenic route came with its share of hardships, with walkers tackling the course in soaring temperatures.

Mrs Lungan said: “It was scorching hot and on most of the route there was no shade. The most difficult section was walking on the beach with sand up to your ankles.

“It was motivating to see how determined other walkers were to finish the course.”

Money raised through Trek26 helps Alzheimer’s Society fund vital support services and research for people affected by dementia.