Wakefield bus clerk dubbed ‘Miracle Marilyn’ to tackle memory walk for Alzheimer’s research
A popular member of the team at a major Wakefield bus operator is preparing to take on her ninth charity challenge in nine years, aiming to raise hundreds of pounds for Alzheimer’s research.
Marilyn Gibson, a garage operations clerk Stagecoach Yorkshire’s Wakefield base, will set out to complete the Clumber Park Memory Walk, at the age of 79, after her husband was struck by the cruel disease.
As she trains and prepares for the challenge, on September 20, she has already started to receive support from her friends and colleagues.
Her JustGiving fundraising page has already raised £190 – beating her £175 target weeks before the walk takes place.
She said: “Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer.
"We owe it to the one million people across the UK currently living with dementia to campaign for change, whilst providing day-to-day support.
"I am determined to play my part in that effort.
“My husband, of 60 years suffers from Alzheimer’s and it’s a cruel disease, so I wanted to do something regularly to play a part in finding a cure.
"The result has been that, once a year, I do a Memory Walk to raise more funds, in the hope that they will discover something to prevent future suffering.”
The Clumber Park Memory Walk is an annual sponsored fundraising event organized by the Alzheimer's Society, held at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire.
The event raises vital funds for dementia support services and research, and unites people affected by the condition.
John Young, commercial director of Stagecoach Yorkshire, added: “Marilyn is truly inspirational and is a real Stagecoach institution – we are all so proud of what she is doing, and the support that our teams have shown her.
"It is a huge effort and a wonderful gesture to help a charity doing such important work.”
To donate to Marilyn’s fundraiser, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/clumberparkmw26-marilyngibson?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL