A WOMAN from Guiseley who has seen five members of her family affected by dementia is set to join hundreds of fundraisers going the extra mile for Alzheimer’s Society at Leeds Memory Walk.

Carol Cook is encouraging others to sign up for the event at Temple Newsam Estate, Leeds, on October 1, to help raise vital funds and awareness for the charity.

Both her husband and ex-husband are living with dementia, and her mother, mother-in-law and aunty all died with the condition.

Former library manager Carol, 66, said: “My husband Colin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 65, a month before he retired. He was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and I would say that is now the dominant condition.

“He’s 78 and for the past three years has been in the care system, with most of that time spent in a nursing home. The six months before he went into care were the most difficult for me.

“He was having hallucinations and could sometimes turn violent – he wasn’t safe and neither was I. Now I visit him every day and it’s hard, but I love him and want to be with him.

“I honestly don’t know how I’ve coped. You just have to. I’d been coping with his Parkinson’s for many years before the dementia diagnosis, so you just adapt.

“I’d seen the effects of dementia before with my mum, Colin’s mum and aunty, so there was an element of déjà vu when it came to Colin. I thought to myself, ‘I’ve been here before’ and I’m just going to have to get on with it.

“Every day I grieve a little bit more, and it’s an on-going grief that never goes away. When someone dies, the grief does eventually get better, but with dementia it doesn’t – it gets compounded as the condition progresses.

“Having said that, I do still get occasional glimpses of the man I married. I’ll arrive at the nursing home and say, ‘hello gorgeous man’ and he’ll reply ‘hello lovely lady’ which is what we’d always say to one another. I call those moments ‘golden nuggets’ – and you store them in your heart.”

The forthcoming Memory Walk on the historic Temple Newsam Estate will be Carol’s first. She will be accompanied by her daughter Heather, son David, his wife Laura, and their two children Bethany, 13, and Isla, eight.

Carol added: “We’re calling ourselves The Grandies, a name chosen by my grandchildren. We’re all looking forward to what I’m sure will be a wonderful day. We’re hoping to have a lot of fun while raising awareness of dementia.”

Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging people in and around Leeds to join Carol and her family on Saturday, October 1, to help people affected by dementia through some of the hardest and most frightening times.

Memory Walk brings together people who have been personally affected by dementia, those who want to walk to remember a loved one, and people looking to raise money for charity.

Michael White, Area Manager for Alzheimer’s Society, said: “It has never been more important to support Alzheimer’s Society’s crucial work. Too many people across Yorkshire and Humber are facing dementia alone without adequate support. We urgently need to find a cure, improve care and offer help and understanding for people affected.

“We are in awe of our amazing fundraisers like Carol and her family who go above and beyond to raise vital funds and awareness for the estimated 76,130 people living with dementia in Yorkshire and Humber.

“Every step our fundraisers take will to help us provide a lifeline of support for as many people affected by dementia as possible.

“We can’t wait to see walkers of all ages and abilities return to Temple Newsam Estate in Leeds and I would call on family, friends and colleagues from across the region to put their best foot forward to support this vital cause.”

Hundreds of walkers have already registered to take part in Leeds Memory Walk, which will be on Saturday, October 1 at 11am, with 6km and a 2.5km routes available.

Supporters who can’t make it to the organised event can also opt to walk on their own, or with loved ones, on the paths, pavements, parks or pebbles in a location of their choosing throughout September.

Memory Walk events have been a regular fixture in the Autumn calendar for over 10 years, seeing half a million walkers raise over £41 million for Alzheimer’s Society.

Visit memorywalk.org.uk to find out more about organising your own Memory Walk or taking part in Alzheimer’s Society’s organised events this Autumn.