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Walk 62 Miles in October 2026

Are you ready to step up this October 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. Join our Strava Club and share your progress.
  4. Spread the word: let your loved ones know about the amazing challenge you have set yourself and share your fundraising page.
  5. On Thursday 1st October 2026, it’s time to get walking! Every step counts, and so does every penny raised.
  6. If you raise £250 we will send you a free Dementia UK beanie hat to say thank you.
  7. Once you reach your 62-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 join the Facebook and Strava communities 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 Autumn.

Anna Lisa walks down path wearing Dementia UK t-shirt

“I took part to improve my physical and mental wellbeing while fundraising for a cause close to my heart. My dad was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's last year, and Dementia UK's information and guidance has been invaluable in helping us understand the condition and find support. I tried to make each day's walk different, with one of my favourites being with my mum, my dad's main carer, as it gave us time to walk and talk together.”

Anna-Lisa joined us for a walking challenge in 2025

Frequently asked questions

Can you tell me more about the event?

We are challenging you to Walk 62 Miles throughout the month of October! This is a virtual event, so you can take it on wherever and whenever works best for you. You can aim to walk two miles a day or build your mileage by tackling some longer walks.

In the run-up to the challenge and during October, you will be able to connect with thousands of other walkers in our Facebook and Strava Group and feel an amazing sense of achievement when you hit 62 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. You can do that here.

Next, join the Walk 62 Miles in October Starva Group and the Facebook community. 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 Thursday 1st October 2026 comes around.

Is there a registration fee?

Taking part in the Walk 62 Miles in October 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.

However, if you raise £250 we will send you a free Dementia UK beanie hat to say thank you.

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 62 Miles in October 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.

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!

How do I receive my free beanie hat?

Once you raise an incredible £250, we will send you an email with the link to order the free Dementia UK Beanie hat. We can’t wait to see photos of you wearing it in our Facebook community.

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.

Join our Strava community to be inspired by your fellow walkers. We highly recommend downloading it for this challenge. You will also receive a Walk 62 Miles in October 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 October, 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 62 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 62 Miles in October 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.