Liz and Lynne take fundraising to new heights for Rotherham dementia support
Published 6 October 2026
Two friends with a very special connection to our Rotherham Dementia Carer Support service have taken fundraising to new heights – raising more than £2,000 by braving the country’s longest zip wire!
Liz Benison and Lynne Smith took on the challenge on 29 September and have already raised an incredible £2,145.93, with donations still coming in.
Both Liz and Lynne volunteer with our Rotherham dementia service, helping behind the scenes at different locations, getting involved in arts and crafts and supporting fundraising activities.
For Liz, that connection began when her husband Pete was diagnosed with early onset dementia at just 56.
Liz attended our dementia cafés with Pete, where they could meet other people living with dementia and their carers in a friendly and supportive environment, saying:
Pete really loved the music and ‘Singing for the Brain’ events, where we would sing songs, people living with dementia know and love in a safe and friendly space. I benefited from talking to people in a similar caring role. After Pete died 10 years ago, I returned to help at the cafés.
We've seen first-hand how hard the service manager and team work to make the cafés a safe and enjoyable place for everyone attending. We decided to help with the fundraising by doing something different and settled on the zip wire!
Giving something back
Lynne also knows how important the friendships and support surrounding the service can be, she said:
Rotherham dementia means the world to me. The people living with dementia, their carers and families, the staff and volunteers are very much family. I lost my husband suddenly three years ago from a heart attack and this wonderful group of people have been there for me too.
I hope to continue for many years for all of them and for all the new people coming through every week. The money will be put to excellent use by the staff, I know.
And as for taking on the zip wire itself?
It’s exhilarating but over before you know it. The spectacular views up there are amazing!
More than £2,000 raised – and counting
Liz and Lynne's fantastic efforts have already raised £2,145.93 for our Rotherham Dementia Carer Support service.
The service supports people living with dementia and their carers through specialist advice, information, community activities and emotional support.
Fundraising and donations also help us provide initiatives such as our Carers Time for You sessions. Developed in response to feedback from carers, these sessions provide free respite, giving carers some valuable time for themselves while the person they care for enjoys meaningful activities in a safe and supportive dementia-friendly environment.
Amanda Tomlinson, Making Space Service Manager, said:
We are incredibly proud of Liz and Lynne. Taking on the country's longest zip wire was certainly a brave way to support us, and raising more than £2,000 is an amazing achievement.
Both Liz and Lynne know first-hand how important it is for people living with dementia and their carers to have somewhere they can turn for friendship, understanding and practical support. They already give so much of their time as volunteers, which makes their decision to take on this challenge for us even more special.
Every pound raised will stay with our Rotherham dementia service and help us continue providing support and activities, including initiatives such as our Carers Time for You sessions. We can't thank Liz, Lynne and everyone who has sponsored them enough.
You can still support Liz and Lynne
The challenge might be over, but Liz and Lynne's fundraising page is still open – so there's still time to congratulate them and help push their fantastic total even higher. Show your support and make a donation here.
