Five local communities will come together both in-person and virtually on Saturday to help raise money for Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's is Canada’s biggest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s disease, with all money raised to support local programs and services and support educational and public awareness activities.

Alzheimer's Society Hastings Prince Edward Communications Manager Amelia Huffman said the goal is to raise $75,000 in the first in-person event in two years.

“It really means so much to be able to get together in-person again this year, not only to raise these important funds, but also raise awareness and bring attention to the cause and what we’re all walking for this year,” she said.

Huffman added this initiative means a lot to the families and to the organization to be able to honour those who have been affected and continue to suffer.

“The numbers locally and across the country are increasing rapidly,” she noted. “It’s a great chance to come together in advance of this and show the community that we’re here to support those affected by memory loss.”

“Seeing everyone come together again, having that local impact and the money staying right here in our community is what it's all about.”

Belleville, Quinte West/Brighton, Prince Edward County, Tweed and Bancroft will all host participants this year. Huffman thanked Kiwanis Clubs in Belleville and Tweed for partnering with the organization to organize their respective events.

The locations are as follows; Jane Forrester Park (Meyers Pier)/Kiwanis Bayshore Trail, Trenton Centennial Park Pavilion, Tweed Fairgrounds, Bancroft Millennium Park, Macaulay Heritage Park in Picton.

More than 320 Walks take place in communities across Canada each year. In 2018, more than 25,044 walkers participated, collectively raising over $5.1 million.

As another fundraising initiative, Huffman said the organization has been coordinating “Walk Your Way in May” where people walked 5,000 steps a day for the nearly 5,000 people living with dementia in HPE or Brighton, either individually or as part of a group at home.

People can join in-person to celebrate their fundraising on May 28 or coordinate a donation drop-off at your convenience.

You can register for this event by going to walkforalzheimers.ca.

Starboard Communications and all its properties (95.5 Hits FM/Cool 100/InQuinte.ca/Starboard Cares) are proud sponsors of this event.