Gosport sisters do their own Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s Society in tribute to mum and mother-in-law

Doreen Wiles, Wendy and Sandra's Mum, who died from dementia

Wendy Stranger and her sister Sandra Wyatt from Gosport did their own Memory Walk this year for the Alzheimer’s Society in tribute to their mum Doreen Wiles, 89, and Wendy’s mother-in-law Gwen Strange, 83 after this year’s event in Portsmouth was postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Both Doreen and Gwen died in the last two years from dementia.

Wendy, 62, said: ‘It was so hard to see the condition take over and it can be very upsetting when they don’t know you or say things but you have to remember it isn’t them and it is the dementia.’

Gwen Strange, Wendy's Mother in Law, who died from dementia

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Fareham, East Hampshire, Havant, New Forest West, New Forest East and Winchester are marked as having amongst the highest levels of dementia in the UK, according to research from Alzheimer’s Research UK, with more than 1.6 per cent of the population affected in each area.

Wendy and Sandra carried out their own Memory Walk at the weekend around Gosport, starting at their mother’s house in Nobes Avenue and walking just over three miles (5km) around Bridgemary.

They raised more than £400.

Wendy Strange left (dark blue t shirt) and Sandra Wyatt right (light blue t shirt) from Gosport

Wendy said: ‘We have been doing the Memory Walk in Portsmouth for five or six years and we love it. It is such a good day with all the warm-up and music and there is such a good spirit.

‘Obviously it couldn’t go ahead this year and so we decided to do our own because I don’t think the Alzheimer’s Society gets enough publicity.

‘It is a diseases that affects everyone in some way and the society does great work.’

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Firm Enable Law, which recently moved to Hampshire, is offering a free half-hour consultation to anyone who is facing dementia and may need support with legal affairs.

Head Alison McClure said: ‘I lived through dementia with my mum and know only too well how difficult it can be.

‘Tackling practical issues like putting in place Powers of Attorney and organising financial affairs is the last thing people often want to think about when they have this awful disease.

‘However, getting things in order can be empowering to people at the early stages of dementia and helps loved ones.’

For more information visit enablelaw.com

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