Memory Walk: In memory of mum

Debbie’s story

My mum Rosie was quite a woman. She was the heart and soul of our family and was dedicated to looking after us all.

Mum passed away six months ago with vascular dementia, and that inspired me to sign up to Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk in Edinburgh.

I wanted to do something positive that would help keep mum’s memory alive and also raise funds for such a great cause.

I’ll be walking with my 15-year-old daughter Jess and my sister Annie, with the team name Rosie’s Forget Me Nots. Those were mum’s favourite flowers, which feels extra poignant in light of her diagnosis.

Mum, who was 82 when she passed, was a very strong minded woman who was full of fun and always on the go. I have four sisters and mum worked so hard to look after us all – making sure we were well fed, had clean clothes, and taking us away on trips in the caravan or to her favourite place, Blackpool.

She loved music and particularly country and folk singer Charlie Landsborough, from Liverpool. Together with her mum, my nana Emma, they went to his concerts all around the UK for years, and eventually became friends. Charlie used to phone mum for a chat every six weeks or so right up until the end, when she’d moved into a care home and her dementia was progressing.

Mum needed a lot of care in her last few years, but I’m lucky to be part of such a close, supportive family and we all did our bit. Mum had a constant stream of visitors and was always being taken out somewhere. I could see what a huge difference it made for her and how that family support and social contact really brightened her up and helped her to live well for as long as possible.

I’m really looking forward to taking part in the Memory Walk. Dementia affects every person differently and it’s important for me to raise awareness of that, and of the huge impact it has on the wider family.

Alzheimer Scotland do amazing work and I hope the money we raise can help them support other families like mine who are affected by dementia.