Fifty Kilometers for Dementia Research
Senior leaders from the sports and media worlds will descend on Lord’s Cricket Ground on September 28 for a test of endurance. Dubbed “Your Hundred at Lord’s,” the charity challenge requires participants to walk 100 laps of the outfield—a 50-kilometer, 31-mile trek—to generate funds for dementia research and support services.
An Industry-Wide Roster
The event has drawn a high-profile field of executives and administrators. Confirmed participants include:
- Michelle Dyson: Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society.
- Alex Kay-Jelski: Director of BBC Sport and member of the Sport United Against Dementia (SUAD) board.
- Guy Kinnings: Chief Executive of European Tour Group.
- Andrew Georgiou: President and Managing Director of Warner Bros. Discovery UK & Ireland.
The Alzheimer’s Society expects to confirm further participants in the coming months. Richard Thompson, an Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador and Chair of the charity’s SUAD board, is spearheading the effort. Thompson, who has campaigned for awareness following his own family’s experience with the condition, organized the fundraiser to rally sports stakeholders against the UK’s biggest killer.
The Symbolism of the Home of Cricket
The venue selection is both practical and symbolic. Lord’s Cricket Ground will host the challenge with a cricket-themed structure, complete with traditional lunch and tea breaks. The event will culminate in a formal walk through the pavilion.
For Alex Kay-Jelski, the physical toll is a deliberate nod to the daily reality for those living with the condition. “Walking 100 laps of the outfield of the home of cricket will be a challenge, but it’s nothing compared to what people living with dementia and their loved ones face every day,” Kay-Jelski said.
Directing Capital Toward Care
The Alzheimer’s Society has earmarked the proceeds for two specific pillars: providing life-changing services for those affected by dementia and funding ongoing scientific research into the condition.
“Too many people are facing dementia without the help they need and deserve,” said Michelle Dyson, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Society. “The money raised from this event will help us fund our life-changing support services so no one is left to cope alone.”
Leveraging the Influence of Sport
The walk acts as a centerpiece for the SUAD board’s strategy to harness the reach of the sports industry. By engaging leaders from major broadcasting and sporting organizations, the Alzheimer’s Society aims to sharpen public awareness while securing the financial resources necessary to advance dementia care and scientific discovery.