Step forward for Memory Walk and celebrate World Alzheimer's Day with the Alzheimer's Society

More than 70 branches of the Society across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are holding Memory Walks on or around World Alzheimer's Day on 21 September. The event will also celebrate the Society's 25th anniversary.

The journalist and critic, AA Gill will be supporting the biggest walk, which will take to the streets of London on Sunday 26 September. The Society's work is close to his heart as his own father has dementia. Together they will take part in the riverside walk, which will follow the flow of the Thames through the historic capital. He says:

'Unfortunately I know only too well how devastating Alzheimer's can be; not only on the person who has been diagnosed, but also on their family and friends. It is a cruel disease, which over time gradually robs you of the person you know and love. By participating in Memory Walk you can help raise funds that will make an enormous difference to the lives of people with dementia and their carers.'

Coventry and South Warwickshire branches of the Society joined forces for their Memory Walk, which was held in the grounds of Warwick University. The event was one of highlights of the Society's National Conference on Saturday 18 September.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society says:

'I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the Memory Walk at Warwick University and am now urging as many other people as possible, whatever their age and wherever they live, to take part in walks happening in their area. Memory Walk gives us all an opportunity to reflect on the importance of memory; how it shapes who we are and allows us to form relationships with other people.'

Memory Walk was first piloted in the UK in London 2002. The concept was launched in 1989 in the United States where it now raises over $24 million from 680 walks in 50 states. It has also been adopted by a number of other countries worldwide.

For further information about Memory Walk and the Alzheimer's Society please call the press office on 020 7423 3595 or visit http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Notes for editors:

• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers and celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2004.
• The Alzheimer's Society was recently announced the Medical Journalists' Association Medical Charity of the Year for 2004. The Alzheimer's Society is the first organisation to win this award.
• World Alzheimer's Day is co-ordinated by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) and observed on 21 September each year. ADI is the umbrella organisation of 66 Alzheimer's associations around the world. Visit http://www.alz.co.uk/ for a list of what is happening around the world.
• Over 750,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's.
• Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over 80.
• There are 18,500 people in the UK under the age of 65 with dementia.
• For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.
• Our website address is: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Press and media enquiries should be directed to the press office on 020 7423 3595.