Retail heroes overcome health issues to take on walking challenge for Dementia UK

Three determined retail heroes have completed an epic walking challenge to raise vital funds for a dementia charity after overcoming their own personal health challenges in recent years.

Store Manager at Central England Co-op’s Sussex Circus Food Store in Chaddesden, Dan Matchett, suffered a heart attack two years ago but was determined to do his bit for the retailer’s charity partner Dementia UK during these uncertain times.

Therefore, he and his colleagues, Customer Service Assistant Caroline Coulton, who herself has a new hip, and Customer Service Assistant Mel Weston spent their day off from their roles providing the local community with food and essentials to take on a demanding challenge for the good cause.

They walked from the Chaddesden Food Store to Elvaston Castle and back, a total trek of over 18-and-a-half miles all round, and Dan, from Heanor, explained why he wanted to take on the challenge and how he and his workmates got on.

The 44-year-old said: “We had been talking at work about taking on something this year to support Dementia UK as they are a really worthy cause. Elvaston Castle is a bit of a focal point in Derby, so we decided to walk between the store and the castle and see how much money we could raise.

“It was certainly a challenge, particularly towards the end and we were feeling it a bit. I had a heart attack two years ago and one of my colleagues has a new hip, so we were pushing ourselves, but we wanted to make it a challenge to try and encourage people to support us.”

The trio asked colleagues, friends and family to make donations to their challenge and they have been delighted to raise over £450 for Dementia UK.

Dan said: “We are really grateful for the support we have received and really happy to raise so much. It was tough, but we really enjoyed it and had good laugh and a giggle on the way.”

Central England Co-op has just celebrated its third anniversary in partnership with Dementia UK and has so far donated over £1.4 million to the cause.

To make a donation to Dementia UK visit Central England Co-op’s charity Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/CentralEnglandCoop-supports-DUK