Celebrities support Memory Walk 2011

Bafta Award-winning actress, Vicky McClure, will start the Nottingham Walk, Oscar-winning screenwriter, Julian Fellowes, has shown his support for the Cambridge Memory Walk,  and FA Cup-winning football manager, Lawrie McMenemy, has signed up to the walk in Winchester.

Vicky, who won her Bafta for leading actress for her portrayal of Lol in This is England 86, will start the Nottingham Walk. She says:

'I think it's vital that we support the work of the Alzheimer's Society and I hope the people of Nottingham will be able to show their support too, by joining me at this weekend's Memory Walk.

'Dementia has a devastating impact on the lives of so many people in the city, and that's why it's so important that we raise funds for local services provided by the Alzheimer's Society to help those with the condition, their families and their carers.

'Raising funds to fight dementia is something in which we can all have a starring role.'

Julian, who is a former Cambridge Footlight and graduate, has fond memories of the city. The Oscar winner, who also writes the popular ITV 1 drama, Downton Abbey, says:

'I would like to encourage everyone in Cambridgeshire to sign up. Being a Cambridge University graduate, and a long ago member of the Footlights, I know the city well and how beautiful the park and its surroundings are.

'Memory Walk is a wonderful way for families and friends to enjoy themselves and make some memories, while also helping to raise money for their local Alzheimer's Society services. With the growing number of people diagnosed with all forms of dementia and the increase required in the numbers of carers, it will soon touch all our lives. Local events such as Memory Walk bring everyone together with a common cause: fighting dementia.'

As well as Vicky, Julian and Lawrie's support, we also have a host of other celebrities signed up for their local walk.

Emmerdale stars Charlie Hardwick and Adele Silva will start the Tyneside and London walks respectively, while ITV's This Morning presenter and Alzheimer's Society ambassador, Ruth Langsford, will be making an appearance at Surrey's flagship walk.

We also have best-selling author, Susan Lewis, starting the Gloucester walk, former Welsh rugby player and Welsh Rugy Union Chairman, David Pickering, starting our walk in Cardiff and top jockey, Franny Norton, starting the Liverpool walk at Aintree racecourse.

BBC presenters Mary Rhodes and Sarah Travers have also signed up for their local walks in Birmingham and Belfast, repectively.

To show your support for people living with dementia in your area, sign up for a walk near you.