A Dudley woman is taking part in an Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk for her 57 year-old mother who suffers with dementia.

More than 26,000 people over-65 in Birmingham and the Black Country are estimated to be living with dementia and last year’s event, held at Cannon Hill Park, was attended by 5,000 people, raising more than £322,000 to help people living with the condition. 32-year-old Louise Overton, from Dudley, said:

“We noticed things weren't quite right and Mom was finally diagnosed when she was 50. Since then, we have watched the painful process of deterioration. My mom is now on complete bed rest and struggling to eat - I'm doing this walk for her and for other women who will need their Mom.

“For people going through the same, I think they just need people that care around them, to be as strong as they can for them and appreciate that they are in there somewhere. I cling to the fact that there is a little part of her that can still hear me and feel me holding her, hearing me tell her how much I love her and miss her."

Janice Le Tellier, Alzheimer’s Society Operations Manager for Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire added:

“Dementia is set to be the 21st century’s biggest killer. We are calling on family, friends – and furry four-legged supporters – to unite against dementia this autumn.

"Walk with us at a Memory Walk and dementia won’t win. Every pound raised will help Alzheimer’s Society provide information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by dementia."

For more information on the Birmingham Memory Walk, whic runs over both a 3.5 and 5.5km course, you can visit memorywalk.org.uk.