Judith King and her daughter, Sian Gregory, are the proud owners of five Memory Walk 2019 medals after walking a total of 33km throughout September and October at five Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk events.

The final one was at Clumber Park as the pair took on another challenge in memory of a beloved husband and father, Noel, who passed away from Alzheimer’s disease at just 43.

A family man, Noel had a real sense of humour along with a huge passion for music and motorbikes. Aged 37, his dementia diagnosis came as a real shock to the family, with Sian aged just seven at the time.

Despite her young age, Sian devotedly helped her mother Judith care for Noel and the family were still a tight unit of three. Noel lived with dementia for seven years, before passing away in 2004 when Sian was 13.

Deeply affected by their personal experience of dementia, Judith and Sian are today committed to raising awareness of dementia and fundraising towards a cure. Passionate about the cause, they’ve spent 18 years collectively working for Alzheimer’s Society and over ten more volunteering, including at various Memory Walks.

Sian said: “Memory Walk has been a really special part of my life since my dad died. It’s always been a massive help to meet so many other people affected by dementia and it’s been a real privilege to go on tour with our Memory Walks this year.

“No matter the weather, we have seen so many special people remembered with love by our intrepid fellow walkers, all uniting with us against dementia. It’s been an emotional and tiring 33km in total, but I’m really proud to have been a part of it.”

Judith added: “We’ve done it! From the scenic and sunny to the downright damp, we have walked 33 kilometres across five fantastic Memory Walks to celebrate a very special man.

“We’ve put our best feet forward along beautiful coastline, walked past an historic house and through autumnal woodland, over an iconic bridge and around a racecourse. We’ve met lots of fabulous, enthusiastic volunteers, zumba’d in sunshine and rain, and placed our memory tags with pride on the memory tree at each of the five walks.

“Every pound we’ve raised will help Alzheimer’s Society provide information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by dementia and I’m so proud that we were able to complete our challenge in memory of Noel.”

For details of Glow events happening next March, visit memorywalk.org.uk