A WOMAN whose mum's dementia means she cannot recognise her has issued a rallying cry ahead of a Cheshire Memory Walk at Arley Hall.

The walk, in aid of the Alzheimer's Society, sees friends, family and four-legged companions come together to march for better dementia care and research.

This year's event takes place at Arley Hall on Saturday, October 12, with spaces available now.

Maddy Haren, from Timperley, is calling on others to join her and unite against dementia at the stately home event.

Her mum, Mary, is 81 and has vascular dementia, leading her to no longer recognise her daughter.

The event in October will be even more emotional for Maddy, who is in remission from triple negative breast cancer and took the heartbreaking decision to hide her diagnosis from her mum.

Despite only finishing chemotherapy weeks before last year's walk, Maddy laced up and took part – loving every minute.

She said: “I was still a little poorly when I signed up for the Memory Walk last year.

"I hadn’t even finished my chemo treatment but it was something I really wanted to do for mum and also for myself as a challenge. It’s such a great day and atmosphere, even in the rain.

"I really would recommend other people signing up for one of Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walks by going to memorywalk.org.uk or join me at Arley Hall in Cheshire and do your bit to raise awareness for a really important cause.”

Memory Walk is one the most important fundraising events for the Alzheimer’s Society, the UK's leading dementia charity which provides information and support, funds research, and campaigns to improve care for those living with dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Its research shows that 850,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, with deaths are rising year-on-year.

Steve Green, Alzheimer’s Society area manager for Cheshire, said: “Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer with someone developing it every three minutes – yet dementia research still trails far behind other health conditions, after decades of underfunding.

"We are calling on family, friends – and furry four-legged supporters – to unite against dementia this autumn. Dementia devastates lives. 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 has pledged to invest £150 million in the next decade to search for better treatments and work towards a cure for dementia.

Every penny raised through Memory Walk will help Alzheimer’s Society find a cure, improve care and support people affected by dementia.

Last year's event saw 1,600 people – including Tatton MP Esther McVey – brave the rain to take part.

memorywalk.org.uk.