SOME swam, some ran, some sang and others walked miles – but the hard work paid off for staff and residents of a retirement village who have raised more than £11,000 for a leading dementia charity.

Fundraisers at Middleton Hall Retirement Village, near Darlington, took on a range of challenges throughout the year as part of their determination to raise £10,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

They were delighted to see all their efforts were worthwhile after raising a total of £11,420.20 for the charity.

Jeremy Walford, managing director of the retirement village, started the fundraising efforts back in early 2014 by competing in his first London Marathon and led others to take up fitness challenges of their own.

Swimming, walking, running, giving up smoking, losing weight were all challenges achieved by individuals. Residents and staff organised concerts, fun days, photography exhibitions, coffee mornings and many took part in the Teesside Memory Walk in September.

Knitters were also kept busy knitting a wealth of beautiful items to raise money. They even knitted the grand total raised, with residents and staff handing the cheque over to the charity during a presentation at the award-winning retirement village.

Rebecca Scott, community fundraiser with the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Middleton Hall has been absolutely outstanding throughout our partnership, and have raised an amazing amount. From marathons to a memory walk, they have made every effort to get as many residents involved as possible. It’s heart-warming to see so many people brought together to support the Alzheimer’s Society and be united in the fight against dementia.

Mr Walford said: “We believed it was time we raised awareness of the critical importance of the work of the Alzheimer’s Society as well as raise money.

“We felt it was relevant to Middleton Hall and everyone connected with us. It was a cause close to the hearts of both residents and staff and they’ve shown that by working so hard to exceed our target.”