Unite against dementia at Swansea Memory Walk

People across Wales are today being called on to unite against dementia by signing up for Alzheimer’s Society’s Swansea Memory Walk at Museum Green, Swansea.

Sammyjoe Guerin, whose mother-in-law Mandy has dementia, is urging people to register for the event to help the charity raise money to improve the lives of people affected by the disease

Alzheimer’s Society has pledged to invest £150 million in the next decade to search for better treatments and work towards a cure for dementia.

The family, from Llandybe, have seen their lives transformed since Mandy was diagnosed with dementia.

Sammyjoe and her family are taking part in Swansea Memory Walk and asking for supporters to follow suit by going to memorywalk.org.uk.

Mum-of-three Sammy Joe, 29 has been caring for her mother-in-law Mandy for the past three years. “I had zero experience of dementia until my mother-in-law was diagnosed when she was only 54. My husband is self-employed so the caring naturally fell to me. It’s been devastating to see her condition worsen and it’s really hard to juggle everything with three small kids at home.

“I’m doing Swansea Memory Walk on Saturday 14 September to help people like Mandy get the support they need and hopefully find a cure so in the future no-one needs to go through this.

“Last year we walked from Llandybe to Cwmtwrch to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society as well organising cake sales and raising awareness of how dementia affects peoples’ lives.

“In the past year we’ve raised a total of £997 for Alzheimer’s Society and we’re all very excited to be taking part in Swansea memory walk.”

Sammyjoe and her family are taking part in Swansea Memory Walk and asking for supporters to follow suit by going to memorywalk.org.uk.

More than 45,000 people in Wales are living with dementia  and a total of 405 supporters have already registered to take part in the Swansea Memory Walk, which will be on Saturday 14 September.

Sue Phelps, Country Director of Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, said: “Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer with someone developing it every three minutes – yet dementia research still trails far behind other health conditions, after decades of underfunding.  

“We are calling on family, friends – and furry four-legged supporters – to unite against dementia this autumn. Dementia devastates lives. Walk with us at 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.”

“Unite against dementia and register now at memorywalk.org.uk”