A ROLLER derby team will be wheeling in to help people in the county with dementia.
The Oxford team Wheels of Gory, have been encouraging people to sign up to the Alzheimer’s Society’s Oxford Memory Walk.
The team will be zipping about on their wheels to help marshall the fundraising walk.
Member Amy Jones said: “Oxford Wheels of Gory have the Alzheimer’s Society as our nominated charity this year.
“Several of our members have family directly affected by this terrible disease and it was something we all felt wanted to support as much as we could.”
The 33-year-old, from Marston, said: “As a team we wanted to give our time to marshall the Memory Walk.
“We want to help the Alzheimer’s Society run a great event raising money and awareness for their charity and to encourage people to be more active.”
People can follow routes of 2km or 10km through Oxford University Parks on Sunday, September 14.
The team were joined at a launch event last Tuesday by Chipping Norton resident Debbie Rose, who is taking part in the walk for her father, 72-year-old Roy Watson.
She said: “Dad was diagnosed five years ago, and he’s very forgetful now and has lost his confidence.
“His sense of humour has gone. He used to be known for his dark jokes but that’s all gone now.
“But he remembers us and who we are, so that’s all that matters.”
The 51-year-old said: “Our whole lives have been turned upside down but now we want to do something positive and take part in the Memory Walk with our friends and family.
“I’m glad the event is coming to Oxford and that we can be a part of it.”
The pre-school manager added: “The walk raises awareness of dementia and gets money to help fund research. It’s so important that people know about the condition, so they can understand and not just think its some old fool.
“My dad sometimes forgets to pay for his shopping, and our local shop just ring my mum, Joy, and tell her. But he could be done for shoplifting if they didn’t know about his condition.”
Mrs Rose took part in Waddesdon’s Memory Walk last year, walking with her friend Tracey Davies, and raised £1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society in sponsorship.
She said: “This year we haven’t got a target, but our dream would be to get the same amount of money this time.”
- For more information about the Oxford walk, or to sign up, visit memorywalk.org.uk/ oxford
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