AN eight-year-old girl who had a special bond with her great-grandmother has organised a four-mile fundraising walk for a dementia charity in her memory.

Alice Harwood, from Darlington, will tackle the walk in her home town on Monday, June 4, to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

She and her family aim to raise hundreds of pounds for the charity in memory of her great-grandmother, Mavis, who died after suffering dementia last year.

Alice was heartbroken when she died and wanted to do something to help other sufferers.

Alice, a pupil at West Park Academy, said: “I was very sad when my big grandma died with dementia. I used to love visiting her and having a chat even though she couldn’t always talk back and didn’t always understand what I said.

“Lots of people have dementia and it makes me feel better knowing I’m doing something to help. I looked up charities on my computer and liked Alzheimer’s Research UK the best because they’re trying to find a cure.

“My mum, dad and older brother Matthew, ten, are coming on the walk with me.

My little brother Owen, three, is too young to walk four miles so he’s going to wave us off from home.

“I hope we raise lots of money. Although I’m only eight, I want to show that children can make a difference too. My big grandma would be really pleased.”

Proud mother Karen, a clinical matron at The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, said: “Alice has such a caring nature – quite beyond her years.

“She had a lovely bond with her great grandma Mavis. She would sit and talk to her very patiently and it seemed to work wonders.

“Organising the walk and raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK is entirely her idea and she’s determined to arrange everything herself.”

Miranda Mays, community fundraising manager for Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Alice is one of our youngest ever fundraisers. We can’t thank her enough for her efforts and hope the walk goes really well.

“There are 820,000 people across the UK living with dementia today, including over 6,000 people in County Durham alone. Dementia poses one of the greatest threats to public health now and in the future.”

To help Alice raise money, call 01223-843899 or visit just giving.com/Alice-Harwood