Worksop: Gail Tranter takes part in Alzheimer’s Memory Walk in the fight against dementia

Gail Tranter signed up for the 10k Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk in Rother Valley Country Park, on Saturday 11th October.

She is hoping the walk and her sponsorship money will allow the charity to continue with their work to support people living with dementia and their carers .

Gail started her campaign against dementia after her mother, Phyllis Tranter, 83, was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in June 2013.

Gail said: “Mum’s onset came on very quickly after she had a fall and blacked out in January 2013.

“After that happened she started to change, she became restless, started swearing and behaving inappropriately. She would get very confused and she would struggle to form sentences.”

Gail believes there were some symptoms before the fall, but they were missed because of other health issues and deaths in the family. Once Phyllis was diagnosed Gail looked after her as best she could.

It soon became clear her mum needed more care and Gail made the difficult decision to move her mum into a care home.

She added: “I felt really bad and hated the fact I could not do more but I knew it was the best thing.”

“At first I was in denial about mum’s diagnosis, but that motivated me to learn more about the condition and do what I could to help my mum.”

After needing some advice, Gail went onto the Alzheimer’s Society’s website and contacted her local branch.

Gail said: “The branch was so helpful. They gave information but also a place to vent my emotions and seek reassurance.”

It is free to take part in the Memory Walk and people can register on the day.

The Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walks take place across the UK to raise money for people affected by dementia and their carers.

By 2015, there will be 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia.

This number is expected to hit two million by 2051 if no action is taken.

To find out more about the Memory Walk visit: www.memorywalk.org.uk/sheffield.

Or to donate to Gail personally go to : www.justgiving.com/Gail-Tranter