A dedicated daughter braved torrential rain and gale-force winds to complete a gruelling month-long challenge to fundraise for a cause close to her heart.
Janet Knight undertook the challenge posed by Alzheimer’s Research UK to walk a mile each for a month, having looked after both parents who had Alzheimer’s over the past 26 years.
But the 71-year-old, who has lived in Llanfair near Harlech for nearly 35 years, easily accomplished the task and tracking software on her mobile phone showed she walked more than 100 miles during the month.
Janet, a former accounts clerk at the Metcalfe’s Catering Equipment factory in Blaenau Ffestiniog, said she was keen to help Alzheimer’s Research after her father, Donald Estcourt, died aged 95 from the condition last October.
The retired dental technician had been a much-loved resident at Pendine Park’s Bryn Seiont Newydd, the award winning care home on the outskirts of Caernarfon which specialises in the care of people living with dementia.
“My dad spent four happy years at Bryn Seiont Newydd. He loved the activities they did and especially the sing-alongs in his lounge and in the music room and he had the very best of care,” she said.
Since his death Janet has remained in touch with staff and other residents at Bryn Seiont Newydd and has donated a bench which has been sited in an inner courtyard in the complex. A plaque in memory of Donald has been placed on the bench.
Pendine Park’s musician in residence, Nia Davies Williams, said: “Janet’s father, Donald Estcourt, enjoyed singing with us at Bryn Seiont Newydd and was one of our lovely and characterful residents, whom we miss.
“All of us here at Bryn Seiont Newydd support the fundraising Janet has done for Alzheimer’s Research. And it is equally important to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and the support that is available to the family of people who live with this condition.
“We are also very grateful to Janet and her family for donating a bench where residents can sit and enjoy a moment or two of reflexion on their own or with friends and family.”
Janet is a keen walker and enjoys regular treks with a former workmate. For the challenge she walked a variety of routes including one from her home to the beach at Llandanwg, a round trip of about four miles, or around Europe’s largest campsite at Shell Island near Llanbedr.
She explained “I walked for the family. My mum, Pamela, and (husband) Richard’s Mum and Dad and my brother-in-law’s dad all passed away with Alzheimer’s. It’s a terrible disease so I had quite a good thinking time on the walks when I was on my own in the rain.
“It was a challenge to walk a mile a day because it never stopped raining my penultimate walk on was up and down our hill twice to achieve the mile and I was soaked!
“But I did it and according to my Strava feed I actually walked 100 miles during the February and that was a huge achievement.”
Alzheimer’s Research UK challenged people to walk, run, cycle or swim and aim to raise £100 for vital research in the search for a cure.
Janet raised £252, more than double the Alzheimer’s Research UK’s target, but it was just as important for her to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s,
“When I went with my father to Ysbyty Gwynedd they told me doctors had known about Alzheimer’s since 1912 but it’s remained a hidden condition for so long. I wanted to raise awareness and help people understand that help and support is available to help those living with it and, just as importantly, those who live with them and care for them,” she said.
Janet’s mother, Pamela, died from Alzheimer’s in 2021 and during the Covid-19 pandemic carers couldn’t make their regular visits.
“I was on my own. The District Nurse visited and the help I got from the Alzheimer’s Society was amazing. They were so helpful. They would call regularly and see how I was doing and if they could do anything for me. I wouldn’t have been able to cope without their help,” she said.
