SCHOOL children, tradesmen and family members joined aged care residents for an awareness walk around Bendigo's Lake Weeroona on Tuesday.
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About 160 people gathered for the third annual Bupa Aged Care Bendigo Memory Walk and barbecue.
Bupa Bendigo general manager Colleen Worbs said the event raised more than $1250 for Alzheimer's research.
"We've certainly beaten last year's tally of about $400 and the residents just had a ball, they loved it," Ms Worbs said.
"With 75 per cent of our residents living with dementia it's a cause close to our hearts.
"We'd invite other nursing homes, schools and community groups for join us next year to highlight this worthwhile cause."
Ms Worbs said an estimated 321,000 Australians have dementia with about 1700 new cases diagnosed each week.
She said the number of people living with the disease is expected to soar to almost one million by 2050.
"There's a lot of stigma attached to dementia, but our goal is to keep our residents active and engaged," Ms Worbs said.
"We know they can still continue to live meaningful lives despite the disease."