Alyssa’s Scafell Pike challenge

In August 2025, Alyssa is hiking up England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike (978m)! She is raising money for the Kubiak Dementia Foundation, in memory of her late Grandad George Kubiak. George was a keen hiker who loved spending his time walking the Lakes with his devoted family.

Throughout the last few years of Grandad George’s life, Alyssa could be found sharing a colouring book or painting with him, making memories by interacting with a shared passion for art.

The Kubiak Dementia Foundation was launched in September 2019 as a way of providing those living with dementia and their families/carers somewhere to enjoy a fun and welcoming day out in a safe space, with interactive activities and support, as well as time together as a family.

Their free, volunteer run open days offer helpful workshops for families/carers which share tips, techniques and useful know-hows. The foundation welcomes people of all ages, with craft activities and experts, massage and other holistic therapies and even animal visits in a safe and beautiful setting.

George Kubiak

In 2010 George Kubiak was diagnosed with frontal temporal dementia at the age of 59. He died 11 years later after celebrating his 70th birthday. His abilities and communication became more and more limited during his illness, but it still seems not so long ago that he was our funny, warm-hearted chatterbox, keen hiker and wonderful husband and Dad and Grandad.

The diagnosis those years ago shocked the whole family, they didn’t know what to do. They had never given dementia a second thought. Why would they? It always happens to someone else’s family, they thought, until it happened to theirs.

George’s dementia steadily worsened in the years that followed, but his wife, Victoria, was determined to understand his ‘dementia world’ and to see him flourish within his illness limitations. Finding few places that he and the family could visit and feel safe, be understood and be able to relax, Victoria decided to set out not just to help him, but others with dementia too. Other carers. Other families. Others who were just looking for a friendly face. And so, in 2019, she formed the Kubiak Dementia Foundation.

Through uplifting and safe event days for all generations, the Foundation exists to aim to put a smile on the faces of those living with dementia, their families and Carers, to bring together people with similar experiences and to provide volunteers on the day with invaluable understanding and guidance on looking after their loved ones.

These open days are run purely through volunteers and donations which go to fund the activities, demonstrations and café serving sandwiches, cakes and hot/cold drinks throughout the days.

It’s about PEOPLE SUPPORTING PEOPLE.

The story of Kubiak Dementia Foundation can be found at:

https://www.kubiakdementiafoundation.co.uk