Bob Lempp of Cary, his son-in-law Brady Tillerson of Apex, and three other family members will be walking 50 miles on Saturday, Feb. 8, to raise funds to help families affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

They will be participating in the Kennedy 50-Mile Walk as a tribute to Lempp’s father, Arthur, who passed away in December 2018 after a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s. The annual endurance event takes participants along the East Coast Greenway Trail from Potomac, Md., to Harpers Ferry, W.V.

Lempp, Tillerson and Lempp’s brothers, Ken, John and Andrew, are undertaking the walk to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to support programs and services which help families living with Alzheimer’s disease.

Bob Lempp of Cary, his three brothers, and his son-in-law Brady Tillerson of Apex, prepare to walk 50 miles in February 2019 to raise money to fight Alzheimer’s disease. The five men are repeating their journey on Saturday, Feb. 8.

“Just as Attorney General Kennedy did in 1963, the Lempp family is taking on this challenge to raise awareness and inspire others,” said Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., AFA president and CEO . “Their motivation and desire to make a difference will have a tremendous impact in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. We are grateful for their efforts.”

The Kennedy 50-Mile Walk is an annual reprise of an endurance feat accomplished by Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy in February 1963. At the time, his brother, President John F. Kennedy,  challenged the U.S. military to a 50-mile march to emphasize physical fitness’ importance.  President Kennedy made it known that his White House staff should lead by example. His brother was among the first to take up the challenge, walking nearly 18 hours in 20-degree weather.

This is the second time the family will be attempting this walk.  Last year, they finished the journey in 16 hours and raised more than $4,000.  Out of 128 people who attempted the feat of endurance, only 32  successfully completed it. Donations are still being accepted on their Facebook fundraising page.