Residents invited to join MP on walk for dementia awareness

Debbie is encouraging people living with dementia, their families, carers, and the wider Oldham and Saddleworth community, to join her for the hour-long walk in Alexandra Park on Saturday, September 30 at 11 am.

The walk is part of her Dementia Friendly Oldham campaign which aims to make the borough inclusive of all individuals affected by dementia and improve understanding of the condition.

The MP who is also co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary group on Dementia, said: “I’m delighted we’re once again able to hold my Memory Walk as part of my Dementia Friendly Oldham campaign.

“Dementia currently affects nearly a million people in the UK, and that figure is set to rise. Raising awareness about the brain diseases that cause dementia is essential to ensuring people affected by dementia get the support and understanding they need.

“But we also hope to raise some funding for the Alzheimer’s Society who do so much for families affected by dementia.

“This is also a lovely way to support local people to remember their loved ones, and to encourage people living with and affected by dementia to stay active, too. It’s a wonderful way to bring people together and campaign for a vital cause.”

The Alzheimer’s Society is a cause close to Debbie’s heart. The MP’s mum, Angela, died from Alzheimer’s disease in September 2012.

Debbie remembers her mum as “a brilliant, vivacious, caring woman who was steadfastly committed to social justice” and said she is “forever proud to walk in her memory”.

Memory Walks are held annually in September and October across the UK to raise awareness of dementia whilst supporting people affected by the condition to remain active within the community.

The walks also raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society which is undertaking clinical research into dementia and offers help to those living with the condition.

To take part in the Oldham and Saddleworth memory walk, sign up on the Eventbrite event page.