A Derry woman is using her experience with dealing with her mum's Alzheimer's to raise money towards further research and to provide support to those living with dementia and their families.
Marie Ward lost her mum Elizabeth to Alzheimer's in February 2020 and since then Marie has made it her mission to help others going through the same process as her.
Marie previously raised over £15,000 for Alzheimer’s Society by completing 79 walks in memory of her Mum.
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Speaking about her mum, Marie said: "She was an amazing mum and family always came first for her. I have so many good memories to keep with me when I start to remember the not so good stuff that happened with her illness.
“I have to admit I used to think that Alzheimer’s was memory loss and how wrong I was. In the early stages mum would forget dates and words and recall of short-term events. She would repeat her stories quite a lot.
"In the end there were times when she couldn’t remember eating and she would have difficulty swallowing but worst of all were her pleas for help.
"Because of my experience with my mum was why I wanted to do something to raise money. Additionally, when my walk finished I knew that I did not want that to be the end. Doing the walk in memory of my mum really helped me and it was almost therapeutic to talk about mum and have others share their stories with me."
Through her previous fundraiser for Alzheimer's Society, Marie saw how people connect through similar experience. Now, Marie is organising a Foyle Memory Walk to help people come together and share their stories with others.
Marie said: "Everyone can do their own walk in this memory walk to remember a loved one or to support someone they currently care for. Friends and families can come together to remember a loved one.
"It can be incredibly important to people to share their stories. In my own walk there was a girl who walked with me who lost her dad 20 years ago. For her, she really appreciated the chance that the walk gave her to share her story about her dad to someone who could relate.
"Sharing stories can be such a lovely and personal thing. We are also looking to have a memory tree where people can attach names and messages. It will be something for people to always look back on.
"I want people to come out and enjoy being together. It is important for raising awareness in the town as well. If raising awareness can help one person who might feel scared or isolating dealing with a similar situation it would be amazing.
"The amount of money raised will make a positive difference no matter what. Anything raised will help those with the illness and their families. There are approximately 22,000 people living with dementia in Northern Ireland and so many more affected by a loved one’s dementia diagnosis."
The Foyle Memory Walk in aid of Alzheimer’s Society will take place on Saturday October 15 at 11.00am. The walk is approximately five miles long and will begin in Ebrington Square and continue across the Peace Bridge and then along the Bay Road before returning back to Ebrington Square.
Those wishing to register can do so in Ebrington Square the morning of the walk from 10.00am.
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