THOUSANDS of fundraisers are expected to take part in the town's first ever Memory Walk to raise awareness for Alzheimer's Disease.

More than 1,000 supporters have already registered to take part in the walk, which will be on Sunday, October 1 along the Thames Path.

Susie Hall's parents Anne and Michael were both diagnosed with the condition and she is urging people to sign up for the inaugural Memory Walk.

She said: “As an only child whose parents were both diagnosed with dementia, I know how debilitating the condition can be.

“Before the diagnosis, my mother was still playing tennis aged 80 and running a hospitality business where she would regularly organise events for her work.

“She was an active, intelligent lady who had her life transformed by dementia.

“I am walking in her memory and for my father who is living with dementia today. I encourage anyone who can to join me to help raise awareness of dementia and fund research.”

Susie’s mother had an aggressive form of vascular dementia and died at the age of 85, five years after her diagnosis.

Her father believes he was experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease long before he was able to identify his condition.

Latest figures show there are currently 1,500 in Reading currently living with dementia and previous walks in other parts of the UK have raised more than £6m for the Alzheimer's Society.

Memory Walk aims to raise £9m nationally this year and bring together more than 110,000 walkers.

Linda Goddard, the charity's operations manager for Reading, added: “Dementia is set to be the 21st century’s biggest killer.

“We are calling on family, friends and furry four-legged supporters to unite against dementia this autumn.

“Dementia devastates lives. Come walk with us at Memory Walk and dementia won’t win.

“Every pound raised will help Alzheimer’s Society provide information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by dementia.

“Alzheimer’s Society is urgently calling on people to register now at memorywalk.org.uk and unite against dementia.”