GoodGymers Pauline, Sallyann, Sian, Amina, Bekah, Liam, Ellie, Heetu and myself travelled to Aintree Racecourse for the first Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk of the season. It was the first of six taking place across the country over the next six weekends. There was a huge turnout of over 2100 walkers. Each walker had a target of around £160 to raise and some taking place had exceeded that target. Event organisers said that so far they had raised £90,000 just from this first walk in Liverpool. There were 80 volunteers at the event of which Good Gym was representing 9. And we were given the best job of all! Giving out the medals at the end of the walk. It was incredibly emotional to see everyone who had turned out. There were hugs and tears. There were tiny (12 days old in one case) babies on the walk and elderly walkers too. Everyone affected by the devastating disease dementia. One couple walked together, on the wife’s back was ‘I’m walking for’ and the name of her husband, on her husband’s back, ‘I’m walking for, me’. One lady had lost her mum this year and got a big hug at the finish line. My grandma died of dementia and my mum is currently living with the disease. It is believed that 65% of all over 65 year olds in the UK have dementia so there is not a life in this country that it doesn’t touch. It is a cruel disease that takes your memories, your personality and your sense of self before it takes your life and Alzheimer’s Association are not only there to support people and give them hope but also look for a cure. Hopefully with more walks and fundraising this will one day be realised.