When the doors of Snap Fitness Silverdale open on Saturday, 20^th September, the energy inside will be about more than just exercise.

From 9:30am to 5pm, the gym floor will be alive with movement – stretch classes, step aerobics, strength and conditioning, a ‘Mini Me’ dance class for parents and kids, box fit, and circuit training. Every class will be open to the public on a donation basis, with all proceeds going to Dementia Auckland.

Elsie Farrell story

For Club Manager Hamish Farrell, this day is deeply personal. It’s in memory of his nana, Elsie May Farrell, who died in March this year at the age of 99, less than a year after being diagnosed with dementia | mate wareware.

“She was a strong, stubborn lady – the kind that just kept going,” Hamish says. “Even at 99, she had an amazing memory for so many things.

“But, after a fall, surgery, and more medications, the dementia seemed to speed up. Seeing the toll it took on my dad was hard – I just want to do something that helps other families.”

Elsie May was the only grandparent Hamish truly knew. She lived independently in the family home in Glendene until early this year when the difficult decision was made that resthome care would offer her the best care.

A bond that never faded

Despite her memory fading, one thing never left her – the love she had for her family, and in particular, the special bond she formed with Hamish’s partner, Star Daly, despite only knowing her for a short time.

“From the first day she met her, she remembered. Even when she forgot other things, she’d always ask after Star – sometimes before me!” Hamish smiles. “She really loved her, and that meant a lot to both of us. It was like Star had always been part of the family.”

Elsie also held vivid memories of Queenstown. “She loved it there – could describe the whole plane ride in, the snow on the mountains, the gondolas, the boat across the lake. Every time we visited, she’d ask when we were going to Queenstown and tell the same story again. It was her happy place.”

Turning memories into action

For Hamish, the fundraiser is more than a tribute – it’s a way to raise awareness and provide practical support. An estimated 80,000 people live with dementia in Aotearoa, and that number is expected to grow to 180,000 by 2050 – impacting hundreds of thousands of families.

Around half of Dementia Auckland’s funding comes from government sources, but community-based programmes, such as activity groups, Living Well programmes, and care partner support sessions, rely heavily on donations.

“Little organisations don’t always get the funding they should,” Hamish says. “This is personal for me, but I also want to support the kind of services that make a difference – the groups where people can connect, feel supported, and still find meaning.”

The day will be a team effort. Alongside Hamish and his Silverdale staff, trainers from other Snap Fitness clubs in the McCarthy Group will travel in to run classes. Star and her mother will also make the trip from Manukau, bringing members from their local gym. Local businesses are contributing raffle prizes, and promotion is happening across Auckland – from posters in the shopping centre to noticeboards in kindergartens.

A community effort

Marsha Marshall, Chief Executive of Dementia North (covering the Auckland, Waikato and Lakes areas, including Dementia Auckland), says community initiatives like this reflect DNZ’s values of meeting people where they are and working alongside them.

“Every dollar raised stays in the community to help people live well with dementia. Just as importantly, events like this start conversations – they help reduce stigma, raise awareness, and show that support can come from all corners of the community.”

Hamish is realistic about numbers but hopeful for impact. “If someone walks in off the street because they see the doors open and wants to take part – great. Every coin in the bucket helps. And if it gets people talking about dementia, even better.”

For Hamish, this event is a way to honour his nana’s life and support others living with dementia, their care partners, and whānau. “It’s about showing that even though she’s gone, Nana can still bring people together,” he says.