Scottish actress, Barbara Rafferty, best known for her iconic TV role as Ella Cotter in Rab C Nesbitt, has teamed up with Alzheimer Scotland, to rally Scots to sign up for their local Memory Walk event this month to help raise urgent funds for dementia care.

With over 90,000 Scots living with dementia and the number set to double in a generation, the actress is backing Scotland’s leading dementia charity in their quest to deliver the biggest Memory Walk events to date. Barbara is stepping out to help put the spotlight on dementia and will walk on behalf of her Mother who was diagnosed with dementia 12 years ago.

With Memory Walks taking place across September from Scalloway in Shetland to Hawick in the Borders, there is still time to register for the fun-filled family day out which aims to promote dementia friendly communities and raise money for people with dementia and their families across Scotland. Visit www.MemoryWalksScotland.org to find out more.

Barbara, who will take part in the Glasgow Memory Walk at Kelvingrove Park on 4th October, believes Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walks will go some way to help transform lives. She said: “I’m delighted to be given the chance take part in such a positive and uplifting event to help support dementia awareness. It was a shock to everyone when Mum was diagnosed with dementia some 12 years ago. It’s been a challenging journey and I hope that in the future nobody has to face dementia alone. It will be wonderful to join everyone who is walking to help fight dementia whilst having a great day out. Hopefully the events will raise the money needed to help make a real different to those people living with dementia and their carers.”

Anna Devine, Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications, said: “Dementia is Scotland’s biggest health crisis and it isn’t going to go away. Supporting people with dementia, and their carers, to live well in our local communities is a shared responsibility not just government, NHS, local councils, or charities – everyone has a part to play. Our Memory Walk events promote dementia friendly communities and offer a positive experience for Scots to come together and celebrate their loved ones and help us on the road to providing better care and support.

“Funds raised will be used to help support vital services including our 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline 0808 808 3000, Dementia Advisors, Dementia Nurses and urgent dementia research. Funds will also support important local activities, such as Dementia Cafés, support groups, singing and gardening groups. We look forward to a month-long celebration and welcoming record numbers to the walks.”

Registration is £10 for adults, £5 for 12-16 year olds and free for under 12s. Alzheimer Scotland is asking participants to raise £100 in sponsorship. Visit www.MemoryWalksScotland.org to find out more and to register.