A FAMILY who has experienced the impact of dementia first-hand will put their best foot forward for the Alzheimer’s Society at this Sunday’s Coventry Memory Walk.
And Andy Norris, who cares for his wife Kim, is encouraging others to join them at the event at 11am at War Memorial Park to raise funds for the charity.
Kim was diagnosed with Posterior Cortical Atrophy, a rare form of dementia, last year aged 63.
Andy said: “Memory Walk is something we as a family can all do with Kim – to both raise awareness and hopefully some funds for vital research and support for others”.
Before her diagnosis, Kim worked in several administration roles while bringing up her two sons, and for 23 years she worked at the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital Saturday Fund.
She had struggled to embrace new technology such as pop-ups, spreadsheets and call centre style working and decided to leave.
“Looking back, some of this was probably because of her eyesight problems and the early stages of her form of Alzheimer’s.
“Before 2020, Kim had only ever been into hospital twice in her life, and that was to give birth to her sons, now 41 and 43 years old, but now it feels like we have our own parking slot.”
Memory Walks have been taking place over the past 10 years with 500,000 walkers raising £41million for Alzheimer’s Society.
Hundreds have already registered for this year’s Coventry Memory Walk, and people can organise their own in a location of their choosing either alone or with loved ones.
Over 3,900 people in Coventry currently live with dementia.
Janice Le Tellier, Alzheimer’s Society Area Manager in Warwickshire, said: “We are in awe of our amazing fundraisers like Andy and his family who go above and beyond to raise vital funds and awareness for those living with dementia.
“Every step our fund-raisers take will help us provide a lifeline of support for as many people affected by dementia as possible.”
Visit memorywalk.org.uk to find out more about organising a Memory Walk or taking part in Alzheimer’s Society’s organised events.
