Dr Who director and son of the creator of Thunderbirds, Jamie Anderson, is urging people to join him in signing up to Memory Walk in Bath and walk for a world without dementia.
The event will take place on Sunday 18th September at Bath Recreation Ground, and is expected to bring together over 1,500 walkers.
This is the first year that Bath has hosted its own Memory Walk. Previously the closest walk was held in Bristol.
The community has been fully behind the creation of a flagship Bath walk, with GLL leisure centres offering a free three-day pass to all walkers who flash their medals at reception following the event.
The day will begin with an energising Zumba warm-up to get the crowd in the mood, followed by a live samba band at the start line to send off the walkers.
Jamie, whose father Gerry had dementia, is now a Memory Walk veteran. He will walk with Gerry very much in mind, beside thousands of others who have been affected by the condition.
The pair helped to launch their first walk together in 2012, shortly before Gerry, who was the creator of Thunderbirds, passed away and donated his brain to dementia research.
Jamie said: “This year I am proud to be joining Bath’s first ever Memory Walk. This will be the fourth year that I have supported Memory Walk, as my Dad, Gerry, had dementia.
“Despite all of his amazing television and film achievements, I’m most proud of his achievements in raising awareness of dementia and the work of Alzheimer’s Society. I am determined to continue his legacy.”
Over 2,500 people in Bath and North East Somerset are living with dementia. Alzheimer’s Society provides a wide range of support services across Somerset for people affected by dementia, including Dementia Support Workers, Singing for the Brain music sessions and Dementia Cafés.
The charity hopes to raise £150,000 from the event, which will help to support services like these, as well as fund ongoing research to ultimately find a cure.
Ali Styles, Alzheimer’s Society Community Fundraising Manager for the South West, said: “Families like Jamie’s are exactly why Memory Walk is so important.
“The event is always a special day that gives people an opportunity to walk in memory of a loved one, to celebrate someone they know affected by dementia, or to create memories with family and friends.
“People of all ages and abilities can take part and there’s a real sense of togetherness as you walk alongside thousands of others to raise money to better support those living with the condition and fund research to find a cure. Every person, every pound, every step will bring us closer.”
From the money raised, £650 would pay for a brain scan to help diagnosis, £100 would allow someone with dementia to attend ten Singing for the Brain sessions, £20 would cover a month’s attendance at an Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Café.
Organisers are still looking for people to join their amazing team of volunteers. The support of volunteers helps them to put on the best events possible.
If you’d like to help out on the day, visit www.memorywalk.org.uk/volunteer.
To find out more about Memory Walk, visit www.memorywalk.org.uk and sign up today to walk for a world without dementia.