Hot-footing their way towards a Dementia Friendly Oldham

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has teamed up with Oldham Council to arrange an Oldham and Saddleworth Memory Walk, in Alexandra Park on October 13, to raise awareness about dementia as part of her campaign to develop a Dementia Friendly Oldham.

Mrs Abrahams, who is the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Dementia, and was the first MP to become one of the Alzheimer Society’s Dementia Friends Champions, said: “I know from personal experience how important it is to celebrate the memory of a loved one who has been affected by dementia.

“My mum, Angela, died from Alzheimer’s Disease, the most common type of dementia, in 2012 aged 74.

"I remember her as a brilliant, vivacious, caring woman; a woman who lived her life for social justice before it entered the lexicon. 

“In its latter stages the disease changed her into a different person, not better or worse, just different.

"As much as I loved my old mum I loved my new mum too.

“I hope the Oldham and Saddleworth Memory Walk helps local people not just to remember their loved ones, but also encourages more people to be active helping prevent dementia while improving the wellbeing of people living with dementia.

"If we raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society as a result of this, that’s a fantastic bonus.”

Cllr Zahid Chauhan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to work together to raise awareness of dementia and we would like to thank Debbie for giving us this opportunity.

“As Oldham Cares, we’re working together with partners across health and social care to identify what is working well here and what we can improve for local people living with dementia.

"This includes minimising the risk of developing dementia, providing a timely and accurate diagnosis and care plan and supporting people to access high quality health and social care which enables everyone to be included in our community.   

“We’d urge anyone residents to come down to the Alexandra Park, take part in one of the walks and show their support.

“If we all do our bit then we can help make our community a positive place to live for those living with dementia.” 

Sue Clarke, Alzheimer’s Society Operations Manager for Greater Manchester, said: “It’s great that Debbie is uniting against dementia with Oldham Council by organising a memory walk for Oldham and Saddleworth.

“Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer, with someone developing it every three minutes.

"We’re calling on people with dementia, family, friends and teams from across Greater Manchester to unite against dementia this autumn and organise a memory walk or take part in one to help defeat dementia.

“Dementia devastates lives, but every pound raised through memory walk will help us provide vital information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by the condition.”

For more information go to: memorywalk.org.uk

There’s no fee for the Oldham and Saddleworth Memory Walk, but if participants are able to make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society, every pound raised will help the charity provide vital information, support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by the condition.

There will be three escorted walks all starting at the Boathouse Café and loop around the parking taking in key locations

Walk times (Saturday, October 13):

Walk 1: 11am-12.10pm

Walk 2: 12noon-1.10pm

Walk 3: 1pm -2.10pm

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