A NEWPORT teen will join hundreds of walkers to celebrate the gift of memory.

Lucy Paginton, 17, will take part in the Cardiff Memory Walk in Bute Park on September 15 in memory of her grandmother Bernice Reynolds, who had dementia and passed away in February this year, aged 93.

The memory walk is Alzheimer’s Society’s flagship fundraising event which sees walks taking place around the UK throughout September

Miss Paginton’s aim is to raise awareness of dementia so that people understand the disease in the hope that a cure can be found.

The admin assistant, said: ‘”We knew something was wrong when my grandmother became very forgetful, stopped eating and drinking and started sleeping a lot.

“Her relationships with family and friends also changed.

“My nana had 12 children, 20 grandchildren, 18 great grand children and two great great grandchildren.

“ My nan and I were quite close and I spent a lot of time with her so it definitely feels like something is missing.

“While it’s not going to get my grandma back, it’s important for me to help people in a similar situation which is why I’m taking part in memory walk.”

This year Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging people to take part in the Bupa Memory Mile, comprising the final stretch of your walk.

For every walker who takes part, Bupa Care Homes will donate a further £2.50 to support people living with dementia.

Aimee Hopkins, community fundraiser from Alzheimer’s Society, said: “With 45,000 people estimated to be living with dementia in Wales it is vital that we do what we can to raise funds to support them and their carers.

“This year, thanks to people like Lucy who are signing up in their hundreds, the Cardiff Memory Walk is looking bigger and better than ever.”

Participants can choose between a shorter 2km walk or a more challenging 10km walk.

For more info about the walk, or to sign up, please visit memorywalk.org.uk/cardiff