A NUMBER of walkers of all ages recently joined together for a eight-mile trek to raise awareness and cash for the Alzheimer's Society.

The group walked eight miles (around the number 58 Redditch circular bus route) as part of the charity's national memory walk event.

They set off at 10am and got back to the bus station just after 1pm.

The walk was to raise awareness of Alzheimer's Society and to let residents who may have family members who have Alzheimer’s know they are not alone and that support is available.

Christine Bridges, who organised the Redditch walk, said: "No one wants to talk about or ever think about this illness, it’s a very lonely place for the partners and family.

"If someone said to me two years ago I would be fundraising for dementia because it’s affected my husband I would have never believe them.

"If you were to ask me to describe what it’s like I couldn’t. Each day each and moment is different.

"I don’t know who I will get from one minute to the next. Sometimes it’s the man I have been married to for 35 years, sometimes it is a complete stranger who looks like him with very random comments, some of which I find myself apologising for."

"Maybe if we hide from dementia it won’t affect us. Unfortunately it’s not a choice, it’s cruel and incurable, it’s life changing."

Christine was joined on the walk by family and friends including Redditch councillor Bill Hartnett.

He said: "I enjoyed the walk and talking to fellow walkers and listening how Alzheimer’s has effected their family and friends."

The group raised more than £800 for the Alzheimer's Society which supports people with dementia and their carers.

People can still donate, via justgiving.com/fundraising/mw339669.