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Walk 30 Miles in September 2026

Are you ready to step up this September and make a real difference to families facing dementia?

Lace up your trainers and join us for a walking adventure which you can take on in your own way, at your own pace and in your local area!

Register and get your free t-shirt

One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime – whether by developing it ourselves, caring for someone with the diagnosis or both. Let’s take steps together to build a world where no one faces dementia alone.

How does it work?

  1. Register for your free Dementia UK t-shirt and set up your fundraising page.
  2. Join our Facebook group and connect with fellow walkers.
  3. Spread the word: let your loved ones know about the amazing challenge you have set yourself and share your fundraising page.
  4. On Tuesday 1st September 2026, it’s time to get walking! Every step counts, and so does every penny raised.
  5. Once you reach your 30-mile goal at the end of the challenge, we’ll send you a virtual medal and certificate to celebrate your amazing achievements.

If you have any questions, please take a look at our FAQs below or contact us at virtualevents@dementiauk.org

We’d love to welcome you to our wonderful community. Be sure to say hello when you join our Facebook community and keep us posted about how your challenge is going. Share your progress, swap stories, and cheer each other on. Together, we’ll celebrate every milestone reached!

Take on this challenge and walk with purpose this summer.

Meet Elaine, who took on our walking challenges in both 2025 and 2026. Here’s what the experience meant to her:

walk 30 participant elaine

“I completed the Walk 30 Miles challenge in September 2025 and the Walk 31 Miles challenge in May 2026. Both were emotional journeys for many reasons. The support from the Dementia UK team, cheering us on with words of encouragement throughout the challenges, meant so much.

The other challengers were also incredibly friendly, supportive, and encouraging, despite facing their own struggles. We were all there for the same cause – for our loved ones living with Dementia, both those still with us and those we have lost.

The experience gave me time to reflect and to share the poems I had written, hoping they might help even one person. When others found comfort in them, they would often reach out through our shared experiences, which made the journey feel even more meaningful.”

Frequently asked questions

Can you tell me more about the event?

We are challenging you to Walk 30 Miles throughout the month of September! This is a virtual event, so you can take it on wherever and whenever works best for you. You can aim to walk one mile a day or build your mileage by tackling some longer walks.

In the run-up to the challenge and during September, you will be able to connect with thousands of other walkers in our Facebook Group and feel an amazing sense of achievement when you hit 30 miles at the end of the month.

You can read more about the challenge in our virtual fundraising pack here.

How do I register for the challenge?

The first step is to register for your free Dementia UK t-shirt and set up a fundraising page.

Next, join the Walk 30 Miles in September Facebook Group. Once you’re in, you can meet your fellow walkers and find out anything else you’d like to know about the challenge.

You’ll then be ready to go! Get some practice walks in so you’re prepared for your challenge once Tuesday 1st September 2026 comes around.

Is there a registration fee?

Taking part in the Walk 30 Miles in September challenge for Dementia UK is free!

Is there a fundraising target?

There is no fundraising target for this challenge – we just ask you to raise as much as you can for families affected by dementia.

How can I send in sponsorship money I’ve collected offline?

The easiest way to send cash donations to Dementia UK is by donating to your online fundraising page. Alternatively, you can:

  • Donate via our website
  • Send in a cheque made payable to Dementia UK. Enclose a note including your full name, the email address that you used to register for your t-shirt, and an explanation that you raised the money for the Walk 30 Miles in September challenge. Post it to us at:

Dementia UK, 7th Floor, One Aldgate, London EC3N 1RE

  • Make a bank transfer: please email  virtualevents@dementiauk.org  for our bank details
  • Make a payment by phone by calling 0300 365 5500

How do I fundraise?

Creating a Dementia UK fundraiser is the quickest and easiest way to raise money. You can set one up in a few seconds.

Once you have created a fundraising page, be sure to share it with your family and friends and family via social media, text, email and WhatsApp.

Can I raise money without setting up an online fundraising page?

You certainly can. We’ll send you a sponsorship form with your t-shirt, but if you need more than one form, simply download and print more copies.

Please ask your sponsors to fill out all the columns so we can claim up to 25% Gift Aid.

Where do donations to my fundraising page go?

All donations made to your fundraiser will be sent directly to Dementia UK. These vital donations will help support families facing dementia.

How do I get my free t-shirt?

To register for your t-shirt, please complete the registration form here. It will take up to two weeks for your t-shirt to arrive, so please be patient.

I still haven’t received my t-shirt – where is it?

We’re sorry to hear you haven’t received your t-shirt yet. If you have waited two weeks since completing the registration form, please email virtualevents@dementiauk.org and we will investigate.

Can I get more than one t-shirt for the challenge?

We send out one t-shirt per participant. If you would like to buy some additional Dementia UK branded items, please visit our shop. You’ll find adult and children’s t-shirts here!

Where and how can I complete my miles?

You can complete your miles wherever you like, however you like! Just make sure you record your walks and keep your sponsors updated on your progress.

How do I record how many miles I have walked?

Strava is a free, easy to use app that can track your miles throughout September. We highly recommend downloading it for this challenge. You will also receive a Walk 30 Miles in September tracker with your t-shirt, which you can use to tick off your miles.

Can I start early or late?

Of course! Our Facebook Group is active in September, when the majority of people are likely to take part, but you can do this challenge whenever is best for you. The more participants we have, the more families can receive the life-changing support of our specialist dementia nurses.

Can I do more or less than 30 miles?

Absolutely. This is your challenge, and you can tailor it to suit you. Just be clear with your supporters about how far you are intending to go and keep them updated regularly with your progress.

What safety precautions should I take?

Safety should be your top priority when taking part in the Walk 30 Miles in September challenge. You know yourself best and we encourage you to think about the distance you walk at one time. If you are walking alone, make sure someone you trust knows your plans, always carry a fully charged phone with you, and please do stay alert. We’d also advise taking rest days whenever you feel you need them, and staying hydrated, especially if the weather is warm.

What if I don’t complete the challenge?

The only thing that matters is that you challenge yourself and enjoy raising awareness and funds so our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses can support families. Do as much as you can. Update your sponsors regularly, be clear about how far you’ve come in your challenge and make sure they are still happy to donate to Dementia UK.

See the impact that your fundraiser could make:

  • £ 250

    could fund a new Admiral Nurse

    to run a full day of face-to-face appointments for families affected by young onset dementia (where symptoms develop under the age of 65) 

  • £ 557

    could pay for two Admiral Nurses

    to answer calls on our Helpline on a Sunday, when other dementia services are closed

  • £ 1 ,250

    could fund a new Admiral Nurse

    for a whole week to support a community where people are struggling to access local dementia services