A YOUNG woman is urging residents to take part in a charity event to help fight Alzheimers.

Chole Tovey, 20, of Slough, is calling people to register for the Alzheimer Society's Reading Memory Walk, which will be held on Sunday, September 30 at Kings Meadows.

Ms Tovey said: "I’m walking in memory of my lovely grandad who passed away with dementia at the age of 75. He lived with the condition for more than five years and I saw the way it completely transformed his life.

"I raised over £250 at last year’s walk and I’m hoping to raise even more this year to help people living with dementia. Memory Walk is such a special event because the atmosphere is so friendly with people uniting against dementia from different backgrounds.

"I’m sure my grandad would be really proud to see me walking again and it’s something I hope to do every year."

Over 500 people have registered for the walk so far. The Alzheimer's Society has pledged to spend £150 million over the next decade to help study better treatments and develop a cure.

Linda Goddard, Alzheimer’s Society operations manager for Berkshire, said: “Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer, with someone developing it every three minutes.

“We’re calling on people with dementia, family, friends, and teams from across Reading to unite against dementia this autumn. Walk with us at Reading Memory Walk to help defeat dementia. Pets are welcome too.

“Dementia devastates lives, but every pound raised through memory Walk will help us provide vital information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by the condition."

You can register for the walk at memorywalk.org.uk