THE local branch of a national social action movement to create dementia friendly communities is stepping up its campaign to make Keighley a "Dementia Friendly" town.

Dementia Champions Maggie Marsden and Sandra Kelly are leading the Alzheimer's Society initiative in Keighley district, and say they want people to sign up to a special fundraising and awareness-boosting walk, which takes place on October 25.

Maggie explained: "Sandra and I are organising a memory walk, with help from the Alzheimer’s Society and from John Dennis of Sport Keighley and Keighley & Craven Athletics Club.

"We have the support of Keighley town mayor councillor Graham Mitchell, and are hoping to have up to 200 people walking on October 25 to raise funds for people with dementia.

"Dementia is going to be the biggest health issue to affect people, not just in this country, but around the world, over the next 20 to 30 years.

"We therefore need to know how it is going to affect us and how we can deal with it."

To sign up for the walk, or to request further details, contact Sandra Kelly at stephen.kelly5@btinternet.com or call 07869 736286.

The walk will begin in Keighley Town Hall Square and will follow a five-kilometre route to and around Cliffe Castle Park. Participants will be supplied with a map and the route will be marshalled. Dogs are also welcome provided they are kept on a lead.

All the proceeds will go initially to the Alzheimer's Society, from where they will be directed to local initiatives for people with memory problems.

Maggie and Sandra add that they now have a steering committee of interested individuals who have been meeting regularly to get the Dementia Friendly town scheme moving. Maggie said she is working with Airedale Shopping Centre manager Steve Seymour to raise awareness in the area of retail, while Sandra is liaising with GP practices to improve understanding amongst their staff. Maggie said preparations are well under way to spread the dementia friendly message to Keighley community groups, school pupils and large supermarket chains.

She said: "With friends in Keighley Rotary and support from the Alzheimer’s Society I am setting up a singing group for people with memory problems. "The pilot programme has just finished and has been a success, and the group will now meet every month at the Keighley Healthy Living Centre, starting on October 3."