Memory Walk: Sun shines as thousands descend on Cannock Chase
[gallery] Thanks for the memories – more than 2,000 people took part in a walk to raise cash for Alzheimer's charities.
Crowds flocked to Cannock Chase for the Memory Walk, including families of people with dementia and carers.
The brilliant event raised a staggering £82,000 from donations and sponsorship.
Lucy Mckenzie is a dementia champion from Burntwood and has raised over £125 in sponsorship for the Memory Walk so far.
She said: "My 82-year-old mother has Alzheimer's and it's great to be able to support her at events like this. I look after her with my siblings and she has attended a day-centre on a weekly basis over the last four years. I have seen how much her memory and confidence has been boosted by the day centre and the funds raised are vital in her support."
Walkers donned Alzheimer's Society t-shirts bearing their reasons for supporting the event before tackling a 3.5km stroll or a tougher 10km route. Among them was Amanda Milling, MP for Cannock, who has seen the impact of dementia in her family as her grandmother had dementia.
More than 11,000 people live with dementia in Staffordshire and the money raised from the Memory Walk will help provide for research into better treatment of the disease and local services supporting people with dementia and carers.
The walk was begun with a Zumba warm-up followed by a countdown and the start line ribbon was cut by Jenny Noble-Taylor, Jacky Noble and their family who had all made the journey to Cannock Chase from Wolverhampton.
Jenny said: "I am here today in support of my mother, Linda, who has dementia. In my opinion dementia is just as bad as cancer due to there being no cure. My mother was the strongest member of my family and has been living with dementia since 2012 and she will be 76 later this month. Dementia has the power to affect people so quickly and I want to raise funds for a cure for my children's generation."
Alzheimer's Society Community Fundraiser Helen Fairhust said: "Cannock Chase has a special feel as people come back year on year and everyone who attends has a personal story. It's a way for people to celebrate their loved ones."