THE lead singer of a pop rock band is asking people to take part in a charity event for Alzheimer's Society.
Roy Stride, lead singer of Scouting for Girls, is encouraging people to sign up for the Brighton Memory Walk this September.
Roy's mother was diagnosed with a rare form of early onset dementia and he has been raising money and awareness for the charity since her diagnosis.
Roy, who lives in the South East, said: “People living with dementia have been worst hit by the pandemic, Brighton Memory Walk is a great opportunity for the people of Sussex to show those affected that they haven’t been forgotten.
"Dementia research still trails far behind other health conditions, after decades of underfunding. Alzheimer’s Society fund all types of dementia research, including how to better dementia care, improve diagnosis, and understand risk factors so we can find ways to prevent the condition.
"My Mum Katy who was a teacher and mathematician was diagnosed with a rare form of early onset dementia (Picks Disease) at the age of 60 and within two years she did not recognise me.
"Seeing her go through that has made me focus on helping Alzheimer’s Society raise as much money and awareness as possible about dementia.”
Sussex dementia campaigner Hannah Mackay, a police officer from Sussex, also wants walkers, their families, and their pets to sign up for the walk.
Her father has Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) a rare form of dementia and was diagnosed at 60.
She said: “For those of us who have close family members that are adversely affected, it means so much to see people participating in Brighton Memory Walk.
"I cut the ribbon at the last Brighton Memory Walk with my children in 2019. It was a fantastic day for me, my friends and family to come together and do our bit to support Alzheimer’s Society."
New data from Alzheimer’s Society, released ahead of the Memory Walk event, has revealed that 38 per cent of Brighton’s pet owners would prefer to take a walk with their pet over their partner.
- READ MORE: Seafront stroll raises over £850 for charity
The charity’s survey also uncovered that the beach is Brighton’s favourite place to walk. Over half of respondents said the beach or seafront is their favourite place for a stroll, followed by woods or forests.
Alzheimer’s Society is calling on everyone to don their walking gear and take part in Brighton Memory Walk on Saturday September 18 at Hove Lawns No.1.
People can also organise their own Memory Walk at a time and location of their choosing with or without their pets and partners throughout September.
To sign up for Brighton Memory Walk visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/memory-walk/find-a-walk/Brighton
Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.
You can also call us on 01273 021 400.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here