Manny Singh Kang caught the headlines this weekend, walking from Wolverhampton to Newcastle upon Tyne – to watch his team, Wolves, be beaten by the Geordies, but also to raise funds for Dementia UK: Hard day and blisters, but first day of epic walking challenge done | Express & Star (expressandstar.com)
Now in his 50s and still working for Network Rail, Manny has been raising awareness of dementia and the work of Dementia UK since 2017. A devoted Sikh, he had become aware that dementia is the biggest killer in the UK. He wanted to learn more and to do what he could to help people with the condition and their families, as well as engaging with government to provide better services.
He is a dedicated fan of Wolverhampton Wanderers and has worked with other fans in this amazing project. He has previously raised funds by walking from Molineux (home of Wolves) to Stamford Bridge (home of Chelsea).Between walks there are Samosa Saturdays and no doubt other ingenious ways to spread the word and raise some cash for Dementia UK.
We know that even now, the South Asian communities in the UK find it difficult to relate to mainstream NHS and Social Care services for people with dementia, so it is particularly wonderful to learn of this work emanating from the Sikh community in Wolverhampton.
When we were in Wolverhampton in the early 200s, we worked closely with ‘for dementia’ – the forerunner of Dementia UK – and Barbara Stephens. The Twice a Child studies threw new light on the characteristics and needs of people from the South Asian and African-Caribbean communities through the work of Neil Moreland, Michael Clark, Kate Read and others. Karan Juttla was a postgraduate student with Neil Moreland. She has continued her studies and is now a national figure and Dementia Lead in The University of Wolverhampton. Lessons from the South Asian communities of the Black Country are informing the wider world on the strengths of ordinary people in communities to respond the challenges which dementia poses, with minimal expense.
Many thanks to Manny for his inspiration.
Each week we post a blog from David Jolley where he shares his personal views on relevant subjects.