Line of Duty star Vicky McClure inspired by Memory Walk fundraisers

Vicky has also been working on the upcoming BBC documentary My Dementia Choir, as well as taking part in Memory Walk in Nottingham – for the eighth year in succession.

'There’s something very special about Memory Walk and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,' the Bafta award-winning actor said.
 
'I felt I had to take part because Memory Walk is a powerful and uplifting way of showing that we’re determined to one day defeat dementia. And the more I take part in Memory Walk and meet people affected by dementia, the more determined I feel to fight it with everything I‘ve got.
 
'For me, Memory Walk is people of all ages and from all backgrounds getting together and publicly uniting against dementia,' said Vicky.

'When I did my first Memory Walk, there were just 300 of us on the banks of the River Trent and now 3,000 people take part. That just shows how  the dementia movement is gathering momentum and is really encouraging for everyone.'

The Nottingham Memory Walk was very much a family affair for Vicky who completed the walk with her mum and sister and young nephew Dexter.

'It’s important to me and my family because my nana developed dementia and that was heartbreaking for us all,' Vicky continued.
 
'My nana is where my determination to defeat dementia was born from and she continues to inspire me. Now I feel that everything I do now that is related to the cause is in her memory.

'If it wasn’t for her I probably wouldn’t be here doing all these things. It’s her legacy.' 

Before embarking on her local walk, Vicky had issued a rallying call to fellow walkers in a speech ahead of the event along with 31-year-old Daniel Bradbury who was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 30. 
 
Daniel is also a member of Vicky’s Dementia Choir and he took part in the walk along with wife Jordan, their two young twins and other members of their family.

'Having Daniel up on the stage with me ahead our local Memory Walk meant the world to me,' Vicky said.
 
'It’s because of the BBC documentary that I have made 20 great friends who are living with dementia. I feel I'm walking for them now as well, especially people like Daniel who are so young and shouldn’t have to be going through this.
 
'I relate to Daniel because we have quite a lot in common. He has a wife and two young children - I went to their wedding last month, which was a beautiful occasion. This disease is just not fair, it’s really cruel.  I want to do everything I can to fight back against dementia.'

Alzheimer’s Society Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Hughes said:

'Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer – someone develops dementia every three minutes, with 1 million set to develop the condition by 2021. 
 
'We are enormously grateful that Vicky and her family and friends are rising to the huge challenge it poses by uniting with Alzheimer’s Society to help us defeat dementia.'

'Sadly, dementia devastates lives, but every pound raised through Memory Walk will help Alzheimer’s Society provide vital information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by the disease.'