The Alzheimer’s Society’s annual Memory Walk has become a key date in the calendars for families whose lives have been turned upside down by dementia.

“A Memory Walk is an opportunity for friends and family that have been affected by dementia to get together and do some fundraising and remember a special person. It’s a very emotional day but nice to have everyone there united for one reason,” said Rebecca Scott, the charity’s Memory Walk officer.

Rebecca was in charge of the event in Carlisle on Saturday which brought hundreds of people, young and old, to Bitts Park.

People from all over Cumbria made the journey to the event, which is the only one in the county.

Thousands more took part in events right across the UK last weekend and there’s still a chance for people to enter future Memory Walks.

Over a six-week period between the beginning of September and next weekend the charity will have held a total of 31 Memory Walks with thousands of pounds being raised for the fight against the disease.

They are organised and managed by a small team of five Memory Walk officers like Rebecca.

The Carlisle memory walk took over the city centre park and before the walkers set off on their courses they could enjoy some entertainment on the stage, hear inspiring stories from local people, get advice and information from a variety of stands and help put extra funds in the charity’s coffers by buying merchandise.

Beth Furneaux, who is Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for health and care services, officially started the walk.

Participants then could either take part in a 6km or 2km walk around a specially-laid out course in the park. The shorter courses are designed to be wheelchair-friendly.

Saturday’s Memory Walk was the fourth such event held in Carlisle.

Hundreds of people registered to take part and organisers are expecting it to be their highest ever entry.

The event has grown gradually from just 40 people in its first year, to 80 in its second year and they had around 250 last year.

Walkers are encouraged to raise around £150 each in sponsorship although people aren’t turned away if they can’t find that level of backing.

For this year’s event in Carlisle they are hoping to raise around £50,000.

“The response in Carlisle was absolutely fantastic,” adds Rebecca.

“We had plenty of people turn up on the day and without the volunteers we wouldn’t be able to run these events so we must say a big thank you to them. In Carlisle we had 18 people come down to help us, they were doing everything from marshalling, taking collections, manning the stalls and selling merchandise.

“We had an overwhelming response from Cumbria this time year. Hopefully we will be returning to Cumbria next year but it always depends on various different things. We have had some great support from local services in the Carlisle area.”

The Memory Walk also received backing from television personality Richard Madeley.

The former This Morning presenter is the official voice of Memory Walk, having recorded the charity’s radio advert as well as announcements for the day of the event.

He said: “I’m delighted to be supporting Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk.

“My mum had dementia so I’m fully aware of the difficulties families face living with the condition. The event is an opportunity for people of all ages to come together to celebrate someone special or walk in memory of a loved one.”

The continuing increase in the amount of participants in the Memory Walk can be put down in part to increased marketing activity from the Alzheimer’s Society but Rebecca also says there are more and more people being affected by dementia.

“I’ve seen the work the society has done over the last 10 years and it has been incredible,” she says.

“I’ve been with them for three years and I’ve noticed a huge spike in people talking about dementia and how it affects their family. People really want to beat it, we all have that same aim at the end of the day.”

The amount of people being diagnosed with a form of dementia is ever-growing.

Alzheimer’s Society research shows that 850,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia. In less than ten years a million people will be living with dementia, experts believe. This will soar to two million people by 2051.

The society also says:

  • 225,000 will develop dementia this year, that’s one every three minutes
  • Dementia costs the UK economy more than £26bn per year. This is the equivalent of more than £30,000 per person with dementia
  • Alzheimer’s Society funds research into the cause, care, cure and prevention of all types of dementia and has committed to spend at least £100 million on research over the next decade.

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Anyone who needs help, support or advice from the Alzheimer’s Society can call the charity’s helpline number 0300 222 11 22 or use the live online advice service at www.alzheimers.org.uk