Chanti vs The Larapinta Trail, 225kms for Dementia

Trekking for Change: Raising Funds and Awareness for Dementia

As many of you know, my dad George, has been living with dementia for over a decade. We have witnessed his gradual decline, day by day, knowing there is no cure for this devastating disease. Dementia is often described as "the long slow goodbye" and that is exactly what it feels like. In Australia there is currently 443,000 people suffering with Dementia  and 1.7million people that support their care. 

This cause is deeply personal to me. In September 2025, I will embark on a 225km trek across the West MacDonnell Ranges in the Northern Territory, hiking and camping over 12 days to raise awareness and vital funds for Dementia Australia. My goal is to raise $10 per kilometre that I will trek for the cause.

As I will be heading out into the wilderness with limited phone reception for the 12 days, I will update as I can on progress however will share the journey once I come back to civilisation again towards the end of September.

Dad is well known in the community for his humour, cheerful personality and big heart. He loved long walks and never missed an opportunity to stop for a chat, often leaving strangers as friends. He would burst into song or dance at any given moment. He is the kind of man who would help anyone in need, never expecting recognition or thanks in return.

Dementia is a relentless disease. In early stages, Dad would at times tell us that there is “something wrong with my head”, he researched and tried all the remedies but there was nothing that could be done to stop it. As the disease progressed, he was trapped in a turbulent emotional cycle of confusion, fear and frustration. He lived in a place of insecurity to his whereabouts and the people around him. It robbed him not only of memory but also altered his moods, his personality and eventually, even his ability to recognise those closest to him. He would often mistake me for a stranger, convinced I was just a worker in his home and telling me to go home.

For families, dementia is not simply an illness to manage, it is years of heartbreak, patience, and constant adjustment. Roles reverse as we spoon feed, bathe, change diapers, steady unsteady steps and try to interpret the broken garble of words from the very person who once cared for us. The grieving begins long before the final farewell, making strong support networks absolutely essential. Dementia Australia plays a vital role in this journey, providing education, counselling, peer support and advocacy. As the saying goes, it takes a village to care for a person with dementia.

Now in the late stages of the disease, Dad is in good hands receiving specialist care in a dementia ward. Though he has lost much of his ability to speak or converse, there are moments when he surprises us by singing. In those fleeting glimpses, we still see his true essence - the humour, the kindness and the soul of the man we love. These are the moments we hold onto and treasure most as we walk with him through his final chapter.

Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia. Without major breakthroughs, it is projected that more than 800,000 Australians will be living with dementia by 2054. With no current cure, the need for support and research has never been greater.

Every step I take on this journey will be for Dad, and for the thousands of families walking their own path through dementia. Every dollar raised will help fund Dementia Australia’s vital initiatives: from essential care and education programs to groundbreaking research aimed at better treatments, and ultimately, a cure.

Lastly an acknowledgement to Mum who was dads primary carer for so many years prior, also to the rest of the family involved and friends that have supported this journey. Thank you x