A Glossop granddaughter stepped out with ex-Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear and thousands of others at the Alzheimer’s Society’s Manchester Memory Walk.

Amy Beale, 25, along with her mum and dad, joined thousands of other walkers at Heaton Park on Sunday to help stop dementia from devastating lives. Amy was joined by former Corrie legend Julie Goodyear and her husband Scott Brand who took part in the charity’s flagship fundraiser in Heaton Park alongside thousands of walkers doing routes of two to seven kilometres.

Amy signed up to the sponsored walk after her grandmother, Barbara Anne Dyson, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s last September, aged 82. Amy said: “It was great to attend the Manchester memory walk at Heaton Park. The atmosphere was amazing, and it was good to know we were joining
Julie, and thousands of others, to raise awareness of dementia.”

Julie, best known for playing Bet Lynch in the ITV soap Coronation Street, recently announced via her husband Scott that she is living with dementia. Scott said: “Julie and I are delighted to be supporting the Manchester Memory Walk in Heaton Park this year. 

“We want to make sure that anyone else who has been impacted by a dementia diagnosis knows they are not alone - we know that one in three of us born today will go on to develop dementia, and so many more families, friends and carers will be affected as a result.

“Since receiving Julie’s diagnosis, the support we have had from Alzheimer’s Society’s team in Rochdale has been amazing. It has helped to take such a burden off our shoulders. “Julie is now living with Alzheimer’s, not suffering with it - and that’s a big difference.

“Calling these events ‘Memory Walks’ is most appropriate; of course, memory is one of the things most affected by this cruel disease, but Julie and I are also trying to make more memories together.

“Taking part in this walk was a wonderful new memory for us to share.”

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, with one in three people born in the UK today going on to develop the condition in their lifetime. The Alzheimer’s Society is vowing to help stop the devastation caused by dementia, with money raised from the family-friendly sponsored walks going towards funding crucial research and supporting people living with dementia through some of the hardest and most frightening times.

Sue Clarke, regional manager for Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We are in awe of our incredible fundraisers, who turned out in their hundreds/thousands to support the 30,000 people living with dementia in Greater Manchester.

“It was extremely moving to see so many people come together to honour or remember their loved ones.

“Every pound raised from the Manchester Memory Walk at Heaton Park will make a huge difference. Supporters will be walking to fund faster diagnosis, ongoing support and vital research, helping people with dementia live more fulfilled lives now and in the future.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped make this year’s Memory Walk such a success.” Alzheimer’s Society vows to end then devastation caused by dementia, providing help and hope for everyone affected during World Alzheimer’s Month and throughout the year. To make a donation, visit alzheimers.org.uk.