A WOMAN whose mum was diagnosed with dementia will join hundreds of fundraisers in a special charity walk in Windsor.

Emily Holdsworth, of Wokingham, will be joined by her sister, nanna, and close family and friends for the Alzheimer's Society's Memory Walke, at Alexandra Gardens on Sunday, September 11.

Walkers will be going the extra mile for the event, which will raise vital funds for the charity.

Emily, 27, describes her mum, Michelle, 56, as a “social butterfly” and says her early onset dementia diagnosis knocked the family sideways, after she was diagnosed at the age of 48.

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Emily said: “You never suspect it’s dementia at such a young age.

“We noticed personality changes in mum, but because of her age these were originally put down to menopause and other conditions, such as bipolar and depression.”

Emily added her family’s future had been turned upside down when they got the diagnosis.

She said: "With other illnesses there is still hope that the person you love will come out the other side but with a dementia diagnosis, it felt like there was very little hope.”

Slough Observer: Michelle holding a bunch of sunflowersMichelle holding a bunch of sunflowers

Emily stayed at home to care for her home until she moved into a nursing home in January 2021.

She explained: “At times, because of mum’s age, it could be very isolating.

“We would go to support groups and most of the people there with loved ones would be decades older than us.

“People were so kind, but not many people could truly understand the scale of what we were going through.”

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Emily said she still shares special memories with her mum.

She explained: “Mum adores singing and music, and it still brings her joy.

“Even though she no longer knows who we are, we still share memories together, especially through the music she loves, like ABBA. We feel very blessed to have her in our lives.

“This cruel disease has meant we have had to watch our mum slip away bit by bit so it will be nice to part of such a positive day.

“Mum loved walking and as she grew up in Windsor, where my nanna still lives, it seemed the perfect place to raise money and awareness.”

Linda Goddard, area manager for Alzheimer’s Society, said: “It has never been more important to support Alzheimer’s Society’s crucial work.

“We are in awe of our amazing fundraisers like Emily and her family, who go above and beyond to raise vital funds and awareness for local people living with dementia.”