“If I can do it, they can do it”- The 84-year-old Salford woman walking 7km for charity

An 84-year-old Salford woman will walk seven kilometres to raise money for an Alzheimer’s charity after several friends were affected by the disease.

Cilla Walker, who will be 85 in November, is now embarking on an extraordinary act for charity.

On October 13, Cilla, who lives in Walkden, will take on the Manchester Memory Walk, run by Alzheimer’s Society in honour of all those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

After coming across the advert for the walk Cilla said: “I saw it and thought I might have a go at it, because I know a lot of people that have dementia, one friend of mine died, one is in a home and I thought that I could just do it to raise awareness and some money for the dementia patients.”

“I just feel as though dementia is a terrible disease. It not only affects the patients, it affects families. They don’t even recognise their own family, you know. I would be happy if I raised awareness for dementia and Alzheimers.”

Cilla’s walk will take place from Manchester’s Heaton Park beginning from 11am and she wants to go above and beyond the 5km and walk an extra 2km, making her walk 7km in total.

“I feel fantastic because I know a lot of people my age are not as mobile, so I’m dead lucky that I can walk, so I’m really grateful for that,” she said. “And if it can help to raise money for dementia that’s just the icing on the cake.”

Cilla will not be alone for the walk as her family are ‘backing her all the way’ and she will even be joined by her two granddaughters and two grandsons who will also be participating alongside her.

Her daughter Elaine Walker said: “As her daughter I’m extremely proud of my beautiful Mam. She is an inspiration to many and in my eyes she is a wonderful women who is always thinking of others.”

With the walk fast approaching Cilla has been getting ready to take on the difficult challenge.

She said: “I’m getting more confident now as I’ve been doing my training. I’ve been doing what I can. It’s only a week on Sunday so it’s getting nearer now. I am nervous but excited.”

Cilla started off with a target of raising £300 but this has been surpassed and so far she has raised £875. Her aim is now to raise £900 before she sets off.

Cilla hopes inspires others to follow in her footsteps. She added: “It would be brilliant if somebody would think well if I can do it, they can do it.”

To support Cilla you can donate here. 

The Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity, which tackles all aspects of dementia from support to research to find out more visit their website.