Thousands join South Shields memory walk
More than 5,000 people united against dementia by taking part in the NorthEast’s biggest ever Memory Walk on Saturday.
The event, organised by Alzheimer’s Society, raised an estimated £362,000towards research and treatment to support those living with the condition.
A sea of people wearing bright blue Alzheimer’s Society T-Shirts set offfrom Bents Park, South Shields, before snaking their way along thespectacular 7km coastal route.
They walked in memory of loved ones lost or to pay tribute to a relative orfriend currently living with dementia. And many diagnosed with thecondition took part too.
The walk was officially started by BAFTA award-winning actor JohnMiddleton, whose Emmerdale character, vicar Ashley Thomas, died following a long-running storyline that chronicled his decline after being diagnosed with dementia.
The father-of-two, who has lived in Newcastle and Whitley Bay, said:“There’s a fantastic atmosphere here today and for me it’s almost likecoming home – you can almost see ‘wor hoose’ from here!
“I loved playing Ashley and the dementia storyline in particular – it hasbeen the role of my life so far.
“I could have walked away from this story once filming had finished, but Ican’t – in fact I can’t walk away from this story for the rest of my lifebecause I now realise how many people are affected by dementia, andsomething must be done about it.
“I’m delighted to be here to support Alzheimer’s Society – it gave me somuch help when I was researching my storyline – my eyes have really beenopened about dementia and I’m willing to dedicate myself to the cause forthe rest of my life”
John added: “The Alzheimer’s Society takes the view that you can live wellwith dementia and that’s true – we have seen that today with many peoplewho have the condition taking part.
“But what we are working towards is a world without dementia – that’s whatpeople are walking for and that’s what the money we have raised today willhelp to achieve.”
Walkers Sandra McFarlane, 61, of North Shields, was walking for both herparents, and was joined by daughter Carly Middleton, 28, and friendChristine Darn, 62.
Sandra said: “I lost my mam Evelyn in February and my dad Stan is currently living with dementia and is in a care home.
“Families in our situation end up grieving twice because when dementiatakes hold it’s almost as if you’ve already lost them already, but then youhave the inevitable to deal with also.”
Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk Officer Rebecca Scott said: “We’re sograteful to John for his support – it makes a huge difference to have suchhigh profile people helping us in our bid to raise awareness of dementia.
“We really could not have hoped for a better turn out. The North EastMemory Walk has increased its numbers every year, but to smash the 5,000barrier is a real milestone.
“The atmosphere has been inspirational and incredibly uplifting. It’s takena lot of hard work to make it happen, but it has been worth every minute.”