Alzheimer's Society walk is perfect tribute to mum from Peterborough woman

The walk takes place at Ferry Meadows at 10am on Sunday, and Jill Moss, (47), from Bretton, is urging people in and around the county to register for the walk to help Alzheimer’s Society raise money for research and services and unite against dementia.

Jill and her family’s lives were transformed when her mum Peggy, who passed away earlier this year, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia in 2008. Jill has signed up for the Peterborough Memory Walk to raise awareness of the condition and is asking others to follow suit by going to memorywalk.org.uk.

She said: “I know my mum would be really proud to see me opening Memory Walk and completing the sponsored walk to raise awareness of dementia. It’s a condition which often isn’t talked about openly, but it affects so many people.

“I’m doing this walk for my mum, and also for the thousands of people that have not yet been diagnosed. Let's unite together to raise the money for research into finding a cure for this horrible condition and work to make this world a better place for people and their families whose lives are devastated by dementia.”

The Moss family are dedicated fundraisers for Alzheimer’s Society, having taken part in five walks previously. This year’s Memory Walk in Peterborough is Jill’s first without her mum, who passed away in May. But as well as touched by sadness at her recent bereavement, the event is a chance to celebrate her mum’s life. A happy coincidence is Memory Walk this year falls on Jill’s second wedding anniversary.

On September 16 2016 Jill married her long-time partner Steve Moss, which that year was a day before Peterborough Memory Walk. On September 17 2016, she held her wedding reception and Jill’s bridesmaids (her nieces), her brother and nephew decided to do the walk at Ferry Meadows Country Park before the wedding reception.

Around 2000 people are living with dementia in Peterborough and over 8,000 in Cambridgeshire. Last year’s event – attended by over 2,000 people – raised more than £96,000 to fund research and provide support services. Just under 2,000 people have already signed up for this year’s Memory Walk on 16 September but Alzheimer’s Society are asking for more people to join them by signing up today at: https://www.memorywalk.org.uk/find-a-walk/peterborough-2018/ Walkers have the choice of a shorter 2km route or a longer 6km walk round the whole of the park.

Tina Kierman, Alzheimer’s Society operations manager for Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire said: “Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer, with someone developing it every three minutes.

“We’re calling on people with dementia, family, friends and teams from across Cambridgshire to unite against dementia this autumn. Walk with us at the Memory Walk in Peterborough to help defeat dementia.

“Dementia devastates lives, but every pound raised through memory Walk will help us provide vital information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by the condition.

“We are urging people to unite against dementia and register now at memorywalk.org.uk”