Tony Hall, 81, who founded Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA) 13 years ago, set himself the challenge of walking a mile for every year along the 13-mile route of the Bath to Bristol railway path for Dementia Action Week 2026.
On May 16, Tony had his hair dyed with BDAA purple to make sure he stood out on his walk. Student Ellie, who has been volunteering at BDAA’s Happy Days Cafe in Westbury, created an amazing purple jacket, pictured, as part of her GCSE project – which Tony wore on the day, Tony founded BDAA in 2013 as his personal response after his wife Barbara was diagnosed with dementia. She lived with frontotemporal dementia for more than 20 years before dying in 2022. Tony continues to lead the charity as founder and chair.
The walk set off at 9.30am from Brassmill Lane at the start of the cycleway and footpath and followed the railway path to Bristol. Walkers reached Bitton Station at around 12pm for a lunch stop in ‘Rose’, the second buffet car, where BDAA also had an information stall.
The group set off again at 2pm, stopping briefly at Warmley Station café around 2.30pm before continuing into Bristol and arriving at the arch in Lawrence Hill Park at end of the cycle path around 6pm.
The walk was part of a wider programme of activities marking Dementia Action Week.
On May 18, BDAA hosted a Happy Days memory café at Ambition House, Lawrence Weston, where long-time supporter Teresa had her head shaved, after raising more than £1,000 for the charity.
Donations for the above events or to the charity in general are always welcome via: https://donorbox.org/bdaa