The Line of Duty actress has taken part in Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk at Wollaton Park for 14 years in a row
Vicky McClure says she always clears her calendar to attend the event
Vicky McClure has returned to the Nottingham area where she grew up for a special event.
The Line of Duty actress joined around 1,200 people at Wollaton Park on Saturday morning (October 11) for the Alzheimer’s Society’s annual Memory Walk.
The event, which saw walkers take on a 6km route, aims to raise funds and awareness around living with dementia.
Vicky, who grew up in Wollaton, returned to the event for the 14th year in a row to walk in memory of her grandparents, as well as the members of Our Dementia Choir, which she founded in 2018.
She said: “I would feel very odd not to be here. I always clear my calendar to make sure I get here to open the walk.
“I’m walking for my grandmas and grandad, Our Dementia Choir and everyone living with dementia. I love this event.
“We’re here to look after and be with one another. When people come together and understand what they’re going through and how difficult it is for carers and family members, it gives a real sense of unity.
“I love Wollaton Park. I’m never in Nottingham at the minute, I’ve been away all year, so I’m very happy to be here.”
Beth Cutts and Andrew Darksus work on ward B47 at QMC, which is the specialist dementia ward(Image: Rucsandra Moldoveanu / Nottingham Post)
Vicky, who is also an ambassador for Our Dementia Choir, explained that bringing people together is “vital” as the illness can be “heartbreaking and confusing” and feel “very heavy” on the sufferers’ families.
She said: “It can feel like there’s not much hope sometimes, especially when you watch someone you love fade away in front of you.
“Every day can be a real struggle. Bringing people together means they might be able to share advice, which is so important. It’s all about community.
“Our Dementia Choir and the Alzheimer’s Society support one another naturally.
“The society are trying to fund science and research and have a much bigger job on their hands, whereas the choir is very much about music therapy. We always work brilliantly together.”
Our Dementia Choir were also present at Saturday’s event, giving a performance along with pupils from Bispham Drive Junior School in Toton, whom Vicky gifted 30 guitars.
The choir is currently welcoming new members following its relocation to the Robin Hood Suite at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground last year.
Among the hundreds of walkers, one was sure to stand out as he wore an inflatable cow costume.
Andrew Darksus, 51, works on ward B47, which specialises in dementia, at Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).
He explained that he and a number of his colleagues were going to wear similar costumes, which had no particular significance other than standing out to raise more awareness and funds.
He said: “A bunch of my colleagues said ‘let’s wear an inflatable costume’ but as far as I’m aware, I’ll be the only one wearing an inflatable cow now so I’ll definitely stand out. We’re trying to raise as much as possible between us.”
One of Mr Darksus’ colleagues, Beth Cutts, 23, explained she was taking part in the walk in memory of her aunt, who passed away from Alzheimer’s a few years ago.
Melissa Leckie’s mother has recently been diagnosed with dementia(Image: Rucsandra Moldoveanu / Nottingham Post)
Also at the walk was Melissa Leckie, 30, whose mother has recently been diagnosed with dementia.
She said: “It’s the first time I’m doing anything like this but I’ve always worked in healthcare.
“My mum has recently been diagnosed with onset dementia so I’m just trying to raise awareness and a bit of money. I know the society are always there to offer support.”
Tom Carter, local services manager in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire for the Alzheimer’s Society said: “The Memory Walk is a walk like no other event.
“The sense of togetherness you get is very special, and the atmosphere is full of understanding, love and music.
“By taking part, our incredible supporters will become a real force for change. Every pound they raise will make a huge difference to people living with dementia.
“Supporters are walking to help fund faster diagnosis, life-changing support and pioneering research, helping people with dementia live more fulfilled lives now and in the future.”