Neil's courageous steps to support Memory Walk

Every step is a struggle for Neil Cordell because of Parkinson’s disease, but he was still determined to take part in the Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk out of respect for fellow residents at Thorp House nursing home.

Cheered on by staff at the Kingsley Healthcare home in Griston, near Watton, he set out on a local cycle path called Stan’s Walk to walk 85 steps – one for each year of his life – but achieved double that.

The home’s activities coordinator Marcia Hughes said: “It was really heart-warming with members of the public stopping and asking what we were doing, so it brought lots of awareness to a very good cause.

“One man was so touched when he stopped and found out that Neil had Parkinson’s; he told us his nan also had Parkinson’s and donated there and then straight to Alzheimer’s.”

Mrs. Hughes said it was a cause close to their hearts as many resident were living with dementia.

Mr. Cordell was a keen walker in his younger days and recalls fond memories of hikes in the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District.

“My favourite Coast to Coast walk was from Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay and I also did a 50 mile walk in Norfolk in the dark,” he said.

On his return to Thorp House he was presented with a certificate and Memory Walk medal from home manager Binu Augustine.

Sponsorship has so far reached a total of more than £35.

Find out more about Thorp House nursing home