A SPONSORED walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal has attracted support from a team in Australia who are staging their own lap of the walk on the other side of the globe.

Dementia charity Alzheimer’s Support, which has offices Trowbridge and Devizes, is staging its first four-day memory walk to mark its 25th anniversary this month.

A team from Cereal Partners Worldwide in Staverton is taking part because the charity helps the wife of one of team member Tony Whitney.

Now ten colleagues from the Australian branch in Victoria, have decided to join in and stage their own event in aid of Alzheimer’s Support.

Mr Whitney said: “Alzheimer’s Support has helped us in many ways and my colleagues both here and in Australia are very supportive towards us."

Mr Whitney, from Hilperton, said he encouraged his colleagues to back the charity because of the support it gives to his wife Donna, 53, as she has early onset dementia.

The idea for the walk came from a carer, whose mother is supported by the charity, and Alzheimer’s Support is expecting 150 people to take part to help towards the £25,000 it is hoping to raise in its 25th anniversary year.

Organiser Rosie Westacoate, who is one of the charity's trustee's said: “It is fantastic that we are getting support from the other side of the world.

"As our first walk it has taken off better than expected and we hope to make it an annual event called A Walk To Remember."

The walk, which is free to enter, will start in Bath tomorrow (Friday) and finish in Pewsey on Bank Holiday Monday.

Those taking part can do as much or as little as they like and Alzheimer’s Support is organising refreshments and entertainment along the way.

On the Sunday there will also be a family fun day at Devizes Wharf with stalls, refreshments, live music and a dancing masterclass from DeeDee Wilde of Pan’s People.

To register for the walk or make a donation, go to www.alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk