1,300 walk for a world without dementia

Local broadcaster Judi Spiers joined more than 1,300 people who put on their walking shoes to join the fight against dementia at Alzheimer’s Society’s Plymouth Memory Walk today (Saturday 8 October).

People gathered in the sunshine on Plymouth Hoe where they took part in an energetic Zumba session before embarking on the fundraising walk launched by Judi who cut the ribbon and led walkers on their way.

Judi said: “It’s wonderful to see so many people coming together with one aim – to support people with dementia, hoping that one day we will find a cure and create a world without dementia.

“I know first-hand how devastating dementia can be. That’s why I’m proud to be here supporting Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk and doing my bit to help the fight against dementia.”

Oliver Colville MP greeted walkers and presented participants with their medals on completion of the walk. Councillors Ian and Lynda Bowyer were also in attendance and took part in the walk.

Lauren McCready, 22, from Truro, is studying to be a nurse at Plymouth University. She took part in Plymouth Memory Walk with her friend Zena and her sister, Lucy, in memory of her grandmother Mary who had vascular dementia.

Lauren’s grandmother inspired her to pursue a career in nursing. She said: “She’s my inspiration for what I do today, and where I want to be in the future. She inspired me to take on a nursing degree so that I can fully support people with dementia and their families. No one should feel alone when dealing with dementia, there is always support out there. I really enjoyed taking part in Memory Walk today in memory of my grandmother. It was fantastic and incredible to be surrounded by so many people all walking for the same reason.”

Alzheimer’s Society provides a range of support services across Devon for people living with dementia, including the Devon Dementia Support Service, Singing for the Brain music sessions, National Dementia Helpline and dementia cafes. The charity hopes to raise £80,000 from the event, which will help to support services like these, as well as on-going research to ultimately find a cure.

Anne Rollings, Alzheimer’s Society Operations Manager for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said: “Plymouth Memory Walk has been a huge success and I would like to thank everyone who took part. There were walkers of all ages and the atmosphere was fantastic. We have already raised lots of money from the event, with donations still coming in. The money raised from Memory Walk will be used to better support those living with the condition, campaign for a more dementia friendly society and fund vital research to find a cure.  Every person, every pound, every step will bring us closer.”

From the money raised, £650 would pay for a brain scan to help diagnosis, £100 would allow someone with dementia to attend ten Singing for the Brain sessions, £20 would cover a month’s attendance at an Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Café.

To find out more about Memory Walk visit www.memorywalk.org.uk.