Over one thousand people put on their walking shoes to join the fight against dementia at the Alzheimer’s Society’s Bath Memory Walk on Sunday, 18th September.

Taking place across the city and starting at the iconic Bath rugby ground, walkers had a choice of a 2k or 6k walk.

Councillor Alan Hale joined the crowd in an energetic Zumba warm-up. Jamie Anderson, son of Thunderbirds creator, Gerry Anderson, then gave a moving speech to rally together the walkers ready to make a stand against dementia. He asked the crowd to introduce themselves to a stranger and tell them why they were walking, to make use of the huge resource of mutual support available at the event. Jamie finished by taking a crowd selfie, with one thousand faces united in walking for a world without dementia.

Jamie said: “I’ve done lots of Memory Walks over the last few years, but this year it’s been great to be part of Bath’s first ever walk. My dad had dementia, so I know first-hand the struggles that people affected by the condition face. He raised over £1 million for Alzheimer’s Society by doing Memory Walks and I’m determined to continue his legacy by coming to these events.

“I wanted to ask people to talk to someone they didn’t know today and share why they were walking to help them realise that shared experiences are a great resource for support. It’s been a really uplifting day.”

Tracey and Paul, from Midsomer Norton, took part in Memory Walk with over twenty of their friends and family. Paul was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease two years ago, when he was just 54. He is one of 42,000 people under 65 who are living with dementia in the UK. Tracey said: “We love to take part in Memory Walk and have done a few now. It’s a very emotional day for us because Paul has Alzheimer’s disease, but the support of the crowd is amazing. Everyone is so friendly and happy to strike up a conversation with a stranger. It’s been lovely weather and a lovely event. Our group has already raised £1,000 and we still have the Bristol Memory Walk to do in a couple of weeks!”

Over 2,500 people in Bath and North East Somerset are living with dementia. Alzheimer’s Society provides a wide range of support services across Somerset for people affected by dementia, including Dementia Support Workers, Singing for the Brain music sessions and dementia cafes. The charity hopes to raise £150,000 from the event, which will help to support services like these, as well as ongoing research to ultimately find a cure.

Ali Styles, Alzheimer’s Society Community Fundraiser for the South West, said: “Bath’s first ever Memory Walk was a huge success and I would like to thank everyone who took part. There were walkers of all ages and abilities 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 and sign up today to walk for a world without dementia.