TV presenter Davina McCall is due to join the Memory Walk in Brighton and Hove today (Saturday 30 September) with her father Andrew, who is living with Alzheimer’s disease.
She and her family helped to publicise the series of 34 fundraising walks on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society earlier this year.
The former Big Brother host plans to walk with her father Andrew and mother Gaby to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease as well to raise money for the charity.
She said: “Taking part in Memory Walk is a great way to come together and show each other support.
“As a family, we fundraised to support the work of Alzheimer’s Society. Seeing the number of people affected by dementia all coming together to support each other and fundraise was important.”
The money raised will be used to “improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by dementia”.
Davina McCall’s father has spoken out about his experience of having dementia diagnosed and why fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Society is important to him and his family.
He said: “When it was suggested that I might like to register to take part in research into Alzheimer’s disease I leapt at the chance.
“Why wouldn’t you want to do everything possible to help find a cure or at least a way of slowing down progress of the disease?
“I am full of hope for the future. Maybe I will not reap the benefits of research but I feel sure future generations will do.
“As a family we think it is very important to join together and support the work of the Alzheimer’s Society.
“Memory Walk is a great place to start. It was inspiring seeing all those people coming together to support one another and fundraise for people affected by dementia and all of our futures.”
The walk today is due to start in Hove, with those taking part gathering from 10am on the lawns just west of the King Alfred Leisure Centre. They will walk either 3km or 6km.
According to the Memory Walk website, those registered to walk in Brighton and Hove have already raised almost £120,000.
For more information, click here.
