HUNDREDS of people stepped out for a good cause on Sunday by remembering their loved ones.

Around 2,000 fundraisers attended the annual Reading Memory Walk at King's Meadow, with nearly £70,000 already raised for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Kamel Hothi OBE, an ambassador for the charity, opened this year's event - which is one of 40 taking place across the country.

Dr Hothi said: “Seeing so many people here today shows just how many people have been touched by this condition.

"Nobody living with dementia should feel they have to stay in silence, working together we can all feel the support of others around us going through similar situations.

“Although dementia can be a cruel and devastating illness, joining together in a positive way, to battle it together, helps to increase awareness and raise funds so that we can find a cure.

“The atmosphere here has been so uplifting and I know that together, with events like the Reading Memory Walk, we will win the fight against dementia.”

One walker, Nicola Munane, walked in memory of her grandmother, Irene Gibson, known as Rene.

She added: “She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease about six or seven years before her passing.

“Her passing has been very difficult for me to accept; it was heartbreaking to see what she went through and I miss her dearly.

"This will be the third walk I have done. My nanny was an amazing lady and I will do anything to raise money to help cure this illness."

More than 1,400 people in Reading are living with dementia and the 2017 edition raised more than £165,000 to fund research and support.

Linda Goddard, Alzheimer’s Society operations manager for Reading, said: “I am so glad that thousands of people from Reading stepped out to improve the lives of people living with dementia.

“Dementia devastates lives; it slowly strips people of their memories, relationships and identities.

“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.”

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

Visit: www.memorywalk.org.uk for more information.