FUNDRAISERS led by the son of Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson will embark on a charity stroll through Oxford University Parks on Sunday.

Gerry, who also made Captain Scarlett and the Mysterons and Space: 1999, died from vascular dementia in December 2012 after being diagnosed a year before.

Son Jamie Anderson, 29, continues to raise awareness in his memory and is leading The Memory Walk, for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Jamie, who lives in Faringdon, said: “When we got the diagnosis I expected us to get lots and lots of help, for there to be some pathway, but there wasn’t.

“The only help we got was from the Alzheimer’s Society, which was incredibly helpful. The advice and help from them changed dad’s quality of life for the better.

“That’s why I wanted to give back. When he was diagnosed he wanted to do something positive and he worked hard to raise awareness.

“I’m really looking forward to the walk – I went to Oxford University at Keble College so it’ll be nice to walk past that. Oxford’s very much my spiritual home.”

Eleni Frangou, 26, is joining the walk as she wants to help raise awareness of the disease.

Miss Frangou has worked as a medical statistician on two clinical trials to find a treatment for the disease and her grandmother Eleni Hatzikyriacou, 85, has dementia.

Oxford Mail:

Eleni Frangou

She said: “My grandmother, who lives in Cyprus, was formally diagnosed two years ago and moved into a home in January.

“Initially the situation was not acute and she was able to do household chores, shopping, go to church and take care of herself. But the deterioration was quite rapid. She used to be aggressive, refused to eat or take care of herself.”

The charity is urging people to make changes to their lives to reduce the risk of dementia, after a poll said that 26 per cent of people in the South East do not know they can do anything to prevent it.

Eating healthily, not smoking and exercising regularly can dramatically reduce the risk.

Miss Frangou said: “Many people believe that there is not much we can do to improve our chances of avoiding dementia. This is not true.

“The walk will also be a great way to show people affected by this condition that they are not alone.”

Miss Frangou has raised £245 in sponsorship so far.

She said: “This is my first Memory Walk. I want to be a part of the fight against dementia.”

  • For information or to register, visit memorywalk.org. uk/oxford To sponsor her, visit justgiving.com/Eleni-Frangou

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