'Dementia took him from me far too soon': Leeds woman joins Memory Walk in honour of grandfather
A woman from Leeds plans to honour her granddad by participating in a memory walk to raise awareness of the devastation caused by dementia.
The Leeds Memory Walk, organised by the Alzheimer’s Society, will take place on October 12 at Temple Newsam.
Care home worker Chloe Stephenson will walk 6km alongside hundreds of other fundraisers.
In her day job, Chloe regularly sees the daily challenges of dementia. She also has a personal connection as her much-loved granddad Derek Trotter passed away from the disease in October last year.
Her walking team will be named Del Boy’s Plonkers, a reference to classic sitcom Only Fools and Horses, in Derek’s honour.
Chloe said: “Sadly, I know all too well what a cruel disease dementia can be.
“I’ve felt the heartbreak of watching someone you love slip away, and I think about my pop-pops every day. The anger that dementia took him from me far too soon is still there, but alongside that pain I’ve also found pride in being able to care for others who are living with the disease - reassuring them, listening to their stories, making them laugh and bringing comfort when it’s needed most.
“It’s that mix of sorrow and determination that drives me to take part in Memory Walk. This cause is so close to my family’s heart and it means the world that my mum, dad, sister, my children, niece and their partners will be joining me.”
Chloe sees it as a “powerful” thing to walk alongside both loved ones and strangers, who understand the impact dementia has on individuals and their families.
She will be raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society, the UK’s leading dementia charity. Alongside groundbreaking research into the disease, the charity provides vital support to those affected by dementia.
At the Leeds Memory Walk, people of all ages and abilities are invited to embark on either a 2.5km or a 6km walk to support the work of the charity.
Gill Collins, Local Services Manager for Alzheimer’s Society in Leeds, said: “Memory Walk can be incredibly moving, atmospheric and uplifting – it really is a walk like no other, and by taking part our incredible supporters will become a real force for change.
“Every pound they raise will make a huge difference. Supporters will be walking to help fund faster diagnosis, life changing support and pioneering research, helping people with dementia live more fulfilled lives now and in the future.”
For Chloe, this will be the second time she has completed the Memory Walk but the first since her granddad passed away.
She said: “Me and my mum did the Memory Walk last year a month before my grandad passed away. I would say to anyone thinking about it to absolutely get involved.
“Dementia is devastating, but Memory Walk shows that we can come together, share our experiences, and raise vital funds to support families today and help find a cure for tomorrow. That gives me hope, and it’s why I’m determined to do all I can.”
The Memory Walk will take place on October 12 at Temple Newsam at 11am.
To donate to Chloe’s fundraiser, visit her JustGiving page.