Special walk recalls life of Derry woman to raise money for Alzheimer's research
by Gareth Cross
Rachel Coyle and her family will embark on a very special walk down memory lane this weekend.
They are undertaking on a 20-mile walk to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK.
Rachel's mum, Anne Tinney, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 14 years ago at the age of 56.
Her family, friends and colleagues will be following a route on Saturday around landmarks that mean something in Anne's life.
They will stop at her school, her childhood home and her former place of employment amongst other landmarks.
Now 70, Rachel said that her mum's condition has steadily deteriorated over the years.
Rachel has set up a justgiving page to help reach her fundraising target of £1,000.
She has currently raised over £800 and Rachel said that by the time she counts the remaining donations she will have met her target.
She said that she had been thinking about a fundraising event for some time and had been inspired to 'try and find a cure for this horrible illness'.
"I wanted to do something to raise some money and awareness," she said.
"I’m 36 now and mum was 56 when she was diagnosed. That gives us 20 years to find a cure because the thought of getting the illness doesn't bear thinking about."
Rachel and her family decided to do something different to the standard sponsored walk by stopping at points that meant something to her mum.
"We wanted to keep it local and give it some meaning," she said.
"The route starts at Owen Mor Care Centre where mum currently lives.
"She is being cared for by the most wonderful bunch of people specifically trained in dementia care.
"She can no longer walk, or eat, or talk and she sleeps most of the time now. She is fading before our very eyes.
"We grieve for someone who is still with us. That's the reality of Alzheimer's disease. It is called the long goodbye for a good reason."
They are also visiting a number of locations from Anne's past along the journey.
"We are passing Seymour Gardens Care Home where mum spent three years," Rachel said.
"The route will take us past Seven Oaks which was the first day centre mum attended.
"We will also pass Altnagelvin Hospital where mum worked as a secretary for many years dealing with breast screenings and x-rays. She had to take early retirement after one of the doctors noticed her illness.
"The route will take us to Drumahoe where my brothers and sisters live, Milltown Crescent where mum grew up and Faughan Valley School where she met my dad, Jack.
"We will pass Glendermott Church where mum and dad were married and the Derry-Donegal Christian Fellowship which mum and dad played a large part in setting up.
"Finally, we will pass Culmore Primary School where mum worked as a secretary and finish up at Coney Road which was mum and dad’s family home for over 30 years. My brother lives there now."
Rachel talked about the affect her mum's illness had on her and the family.
"It was just a nightmare. I was in my final exams at university when I found out and I just didn't think it was possible," she said.
"She was only 56 and it was the start of a long and draining journey watching her disappear bit by bit.
"Mum hasn't known us in about 10 years, but my dad still visits her twice a day.
"We looked after her at home for a long time. I have four brothers and we had a rota to help my dad.
"Eventually we got carers to help and we did that for nine years. Dad was doing what no husband should have to do."
Rachel said that her mum was very active in the community before her illness.
"Dad was a pastor until he retired several years ago. He and mum were heavily involved in the Derry-Donegal Christian Fellowship," she said.
"Mum would bake hundreds of buns every week. Dad wasn't religious when they met but he came around through mum's influence.
"Dad has now started a new Christian Fellowship in the Inishowen area.”
Rachel said that the family may look at making it a yearly event.
"It will be the family, our friends and colleagues undertaking the walk," she said.
"We want as many people as possible to be with us at the starting point.
"The event took a lot of organising but if it goes really well I would consider doing it again.
"Alzheimer’s Research have been in touch and they seem pleased with the event. We'll see how it goes on the day."
For more information on Rachel's campaign visit justgiving.com and search for 'A walk to remember'.