Real stories

Memory Walks help us to unite against dementia

We started doing Memory Walks as a family in 2017 and have since been to lots of different ones, including Cobham, Guildford and Windsor. We even cut the ribbon to officially open the walk at Windsor in 2023. 

Dementia is a topic that is very close to my heart because my dad, John, lived with the disease for 18 long years. 

Dad was so much fun 

Everybody loved Dad and wanted to be around him. He was a true gentleman and an exceptional parent.  

He had a passion for country and western music and loved to teach people – whatever their age and ability – to line dance in his Stetson hat and western boots. 

When I was growing up, my friends would love coming to our family home and they always enjoyed a natter with Pops, laughing at his jokes and silly sense of humour. 

It was bewildering and heart-wrenching to witness my dad’s dementia progress. 

Vascular dementia stole Dad from our family, and I have struggled to find a way to remember the way he was before this. 
 

Caring for Dad became difficult

For a long while, Dad’s dementia progressed slowly. But as time went by, the disease gained ground. 

He would often say inappropriate things in public, which was difficult for my Mum. 

She was his sole caregiver and had very little support. She cared for him with endless patience and determination. 

A lot of their friends – and they had many – slowly disappeared and the Christmas cards stopped coming, perhaps because people didn’t know what to say and so decided to distance themselves from our family. 
 

Why Memory Walks are so important

Memory Walks have become a family tradition for us, much like going to the pantomime every Christmas is a tradition for some families. 

It’s a day to come together with like-minded people and it’s a good way for our children to remember their grandad. They write little messages to put on the ‘memory tree’. 

When a person is diagnosed with dementia, it affects the whole family in different ways. 

Memory Walks are a good opportunity to come and be with people who know exactly what you’re going through. 

It also allows time to reminisce and remember those people that are perhaps no longer here that were impacted by the disease. 

Raising awareness about dementia

Our family looks forward to our Memory Walk every year and we will continue to go for years to come – even though Dad has been gone for five years. 

The atmosphere on the day is incredible and it’s heartwarming when you arrive to a sea of blue T-shirts. 

It’s important that we continue to unite against dementia, and that we fundraise and raise awareness as much as we can.