Joining the event in Birmingham at the weekend was Jasnaam Kaur who walked with her sisters and friends. Jasnaam was walking in memory of her mum Elaine, who had dementia and died in April this year.
Participants completed either a 3.5km route which took them on a gentle walk around the park or a longer 5km route around the lakeside, moors and woodlands.
Jasnaam said: “I saw the Memory Walk advert on TV and wanted to do something to help make a difference. There are so many things I wish I’d known earlier and now I want to do everything I can to help others in similar situations.
“We started to notice changes in mum’s mood back in 2017 and she’d make out of character remarks. We visited the GP on numerous occasions, but we were told it was most likely depression. It took a long time for us to get a diagnosis and towards the end she seemed to deteriorate very quickly.
“I can’t describe what dementia does to a family, you lose the person again and again. I used to call my mum three times a day – we were so close. When she was no longer able to use her phone, that was a big loss.
“Before she died, I went and laid down next to her. She wrapped her arms around me and stroked my face. It was beautiful. She smiled at me just before she passed. It was as if the dementia disappeared momentarily right at the end.”
There are around one million people living with dementia in the UK including 11,600 in Birmingham, and Alzheimer’s Society says thousands of people are facing the realities alone, without access to vital support.
Alzheimer's Society provides help and advice for anyone affected by dementia through its support line, online and print information, expert dementia advisers and online community.
More than £103,000 has been raised so far by those walking in Birmingham, helping to fund the charity’s vital dementia support and groundbreaking research.
Judith King, Alzheimer’s Society’s Head of Local Services in Birmingham, said: “Memory Walk is such a special event in our calendar, bringing people together to walk in memory or in celebration of loved ones.
“We are in awe of our incredible fundraisers link Jasnaam and thank all those who took part in Birmingham, as every step and pound raised will make a huge difference to the lives of people living with dementia.
“Alzheimer’s Society is here for everyone affected by dementia through our support services which people tell us are a lifeline. From a listening ear on the phone to a visit in person and opportunities to connect with others, we'll be there for you again and again and again, no matter what.”
There’s still time to organise your own Memory Walk throughout September or to find out more about taking part in an Alzheimer’s Society walk next year, visit memorywalk.org.uk
1. Alzheimer's Society Birmingham Memory Walk in Sutton Park on September 14
A wave of blue washed over Sutton Park as hundreds of Alzheimer’s Society fundraisers walked to help end the devastation caused by dementia. | Antony Thompson/Thousand Word Media Ltd
2. Jasnaam Kaur, society supporter and storyteller who lost her mum recently to the disease
A wave of blue washed over Sutton Park as hundreds of Alzheimer’s Society fundraisers walked to help end the devastation caused by dementia | Antony Thompson/Thousand Word Media Ltd
3. Alzheimer's Society Birmingham Memory Walk in Sutton Park
A wave of blue washed over Sutton Park as hundreds of Alzheimer’s Society fundraisers walked to help end the devastation caused by dementia. | Antony Thompson/Thousand Word Media Ltd
4. Alzheimer's Society Birmingham Memory Walk in Sutton Park
A wave of blue washed over Sutton Park as hundreds of Alzheimer’s Society fundraisers walked to help end the devastation caused by dementia. | Antony Thompson/Thousand Word Media Ltd