AWARD-WINNING actress Vicky McClure walked side by side with 1,000 people whose lives have been touched by dementia.
The Nottingham-born star -who appeared in This is England and Broadchurch among other projects, spoke to entrants before the walk and took on the 2km challenge herself.
The Notts County fan also cut the ribbon to start the event- which is organised by the Alzheimer's Society - with her nephew Kai who was celebrating his 7th birthday.
Biggest turn out yet!! Huge congrats to all that did the #MemoryWalk See you all next year!! @alzheimerssoc xxx pic.twitter.com/uV2gk2ZzPh
— Vicky McClure (@Vicky_McClure) September 20, 2014
Speaking to The Post before the race Miss McClure said: "Personally, I started working with the Alzheimer's Society about four years ago, but since then my Nanna has been diagnosed as well.
"It's so hard to deal with and so important. Events like this show that awareness is growing."
She added: "It's an incredibly complicated condition and something we need to tackle.
"We need to keep raising awareness and we can make a difference - we know events like this work. People become more educated and share stories, it's vital."
Meeting at Wollaton Park, people of all ages and from all walks of life raised around £40,000 to help tackle a health problem which is growing all the time.
The Memory Walk saw people sharing stories, learning about the condition, raising awareness and joining together to send a message that dementia can be beaten.
Sisters Tracy Preston and Susan Preston-Brown who are from Ilkeston took on the 10km walk together in memory of their father who died in April after suffering with dementia.
Tracy, 44, said: "It's a very difficult thing to cope with.
"It's very heartening to see so many people here.
"All the fundraising seems to centre cancer but most people's lives are touched by dementia - I would like to see more events like this to raise awareness for such a terrible condition."
Susan Preston-Brown, 52, said: "My dad was so fit and well, you would never think that something like this could happen to him. He walked every day, he even swam. People to know this can happen to anyone and it's affecting younger people too."
Jody Willows, 30, raised £200 for the cause after his partner's grandad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
The Mansfield man said: "It's great to see so many people here - it is a condition that affects everyone.
"It's quite incredible really. So many people want to support the charity."
The event saw hundreds of people sporting messages to and pictures of loved ones affected by the disease.
