More than £3,400 was raised to help people with dementia at Chester’s first Memory Walk.

People of all ages took to the City Walls to complete a two-mile walk to increase awareness of the condition and raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society through sponsorship and donations on the day.

Councillor Brenda Dowding, executive member for adult social care and health, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people walking together and making such a powerful show of support for everyone affected by dementia.

“My thanks go to everyone who took part for helping to increase awareness of dementia as well as raising money to provide vital support for people living with this condition.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council, in partnership with health through the Dementia Friendly Communities Project team is leading on initiatives across the borough to raise awareness of the condition and enable and inspire communities to action, helping them to improve inclusion and quality of life for people with dementia.

Andy Tysoe from the council’s workforce development team, who led the three memory walks around the walls, said: “I believe that dementia is one of the last remaining misunderstood and stigmatised diseases, and we all need to help turn this around.

“We are running free dementia awareness sessions to help people learn more about the condition and how they can support people in their community living with dementia.”

To find out more visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/dementia , e-mail dementiafriends@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or telephone on 01244 973057.

For more information about the national Dementia Friends initiative and other information sessions in your area visit www.dementiafriends.org .