A young woman from South Woodford is encouraging others to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society after experiencing the effects dementia can have on a family first hand.
Emma Prosser, 26, is taking part in the Epping Forest Memory Walk to raise awareness and money after her grandmother passed away with the condition earlier this year.
Elsie, Emma’s grandmother, died in February just days after her 83rd birthday. She had been diagnosed with dementia five years earlier.
Her family had quickly turned to the Alzheimer’s Society website for help and guidance.
Emma believes that awareness is vital in the battle against dementia.
She said: “Everyone should be made aware of dementia to try and ensure anyone worried about their memory gets a quick diagnosis and is given the right medication.”
It is estimated that over 2,500 people in the Redbridge area are diagnosed with some form of dementia. A third of over-65s are expected to develop the condition.
The Memory Walk is the society’s flagship fundraising event, raising over £1.4m last year.
The walk takes place on September 15 at 11am. Registration is free at www.memorywalk.org.uk/eppingforest.
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