A GIRL from Ellesmere Port has won an award for her incredible fundraising efforts for life-changing dementia research.

Heidi Barker, eight, won the Fundraise Your Way Award in Alzheimer’s Research UK’s inaugural supporter awards.

Heidi wanted to do something to help her great uncle Ian who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2020, so she took on the challenge to walk the equivalent distance between Land’s End and John O’Groats to raise money for research.

She completed walks in her local area with family and friends then totalled up the mileage and marked her progress on a map.

She started in March 2021 and reached her 603-mile target in June this year, raising over £16,500.

With help from her parents, Claire and David, she also built up a big following on social media as they charted her adventures and spread lots of fun and joy.

Heidi said: “I’m so happy to win this award. I loved doing my challenge and I’m so proud of the money I raised to help my uncle Ian and people like him.”

Alzheimer’s Research UK’s supporter awards shine a spotlight on some of the charity’s most dedicated fundraisers and volunteers, who play a vital role in helping to bring an end to the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.

The awards were hosted on the charity’s website to ensure as many people as possible were able to celebrate the nominees and winners.

Supporters were nominated in eight categories that display the variety of ways they get involved, with the awards judging panel selecting a winner in each.

A ninth category recognised six exceptional individuals who have displayed outstanding commitment to the charity over a number of years.  

To find out more about Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Supporter Awards and to view all the winners go to https://alzres.uk/awards

Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “It has been a great privilege to celebrate the incredible lengths our supporters go to in order to raise awareness and vital funds for dementia research. Without our supporters we would not be able to make the progress we are making in dementia research.

“There are nearly 1 million people in the UK living with dementia. Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are one of society’s biggest medical challenges, but with research they can be overcome.

“We are so grateful to Heidi and all of our incredible supporters for everything they are doing to help us make research breakthroughs that will keep people connected to their families, their worlds and themselves for longer.”