I WOULD just like to say how much I enjoyed the Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walks that took place in Teesside and County Durham.

It was the first time I had visited Stewart Park in Middlesbrough and Riverside Park in Chester-le-Street and they provided the perfect setting.

More than 250 people of all ages took part in the Middlesbrough Memory Walk and then over 300 headed to Riverside Park to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society and awareness of dementia.

In both respects, Memory Walk is going from strength to strength because of the passion that people across Teesside and County Durham obviously feel about the need to create dementia-friendly communities and hopefully one day find a cure.

Everyone who has been affected by dementia will know what a devastating disease it can be but the Memory Walks reassured me that we are heading in the right direction on the road to a world without dementia.

That was underlined by the welcome presence of MPs Tom Blenkinsop and Kevan Jones (and his dog Biff) when they made speeches to walkers as they formally opened the event before joining everyone on their treks.

Tom, Kevan and their fellow Memory Walkers will, I am sure, agree it is a heart-warming way to remember people who have had dementia and those who are currently living with the disease.

I am already looking forward to next year’s Memory Walks and I am confident they will be better than ever. In the meantime, any readers of the Northern Echo wanting to get involved can call me on 0191-389-0400.

Rob Stewart, North-East Communications Officer, Alzheimer’s Society, Bullion Lane, Chester-le-Street