BASINGSTOKE held its first Alzheimer’s Memory Walk as walkers descended on War Memorial Park to raise awareness of the disease. 

Arranged by Tadley-based dialysis assistant Aymi Barber, 20 people donned their trainers and tracksuits to walk five kilometres around the Basingstoke park.

Aymi, whose grandfather had dementia, also raised money through the generosity of friends, families and patients she looks after who donated more than £450 to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Across the United Kingdom, thousands of people took part in a Memory Walk to help the fight for a world without dementia.

“It’s important that people are given the chance to talk about these things,” said Aymi, who works at the Basingstoke dialysis unit for Fresenius.

“Being able to take the time to talk about what Alzheimer’s is about and remember the people who are suffering with dementia and their family helps the process.

“Slowly watching someone lose a bit of themselves day-by-day is not an easy journey to go on.

“However, getting people to remember their loved ones and talk to those who are in a similar situation is good.”

The Alzheimer’s Society, the United Kingdom’s leading dementia support and research charity, has predicted that by 2025 one million people in the UK will have dementia.

The money raised from these walks will go directly to help combat the spread of the memory-loss disease. 

“I was overwhelmed by the support and donations from everybody who sponsored me and joined in the walk,” Aymi added.

“It is planned to run again next year, so hopefully we can raise even more awareness and get even more walkers down for it.”

For more information and to learn more about Aymi’s story visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MW16aymibarber.