15th May 2020

The Mitchell family danced for 12 hours in their Chippenham home and garden to raise more than £700 for Alzheimer's Support.

Mother Claire, who works as a dementia adviser for the charity said: "I know at first hand how the charity is needed and how difficult it is for smaller charities during this crisis. so we wanted to do something that we could do to help."

Her husband Mark, a paediatric sister at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, and children Grace and Noah joined in enthusiastically. The family started dancing at 8.30am - and finished in the street 12 hours later, with neighbours joining in. The danceathon was featured on BBC Points West and BBC Wiltshire and raised more than £700 for the charity.

A challenge to remember

The danceathon was the Mitchell's contribution to Alzheimer's Support's Virtual Walk to Remember which takes place on Saturday 16th May. Everyone is being invited to complete their own home-based fitness challenge to replace the annual organised fundraiser. Ideas have ranged form walking laps of the garden, to a family fitness boot camp, cycling challenges and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro up the stairs.

Alzheimer's Support fundraiser Rachel Fear said: "We have people joining in from across Wiltshire and beyond and have been so impressed with the creative ideas people have come up with. Whether they are walking, running, climbing or something completely different it really will be an event to remember. The Mitchell's have got us off to a fantastic start so enormous thanks to them and everyone who has donated.

"Every penny raised will go to support people living with dementia and family carers in Wiltshire."

Donate to support the danceathon

A Virtual Walk to Remember