THOUSANDS of people are being called on to unite against dementia by signing up for Alzheimer’s Society’s first Southampton Memory Walk.

Maureen May, from Eastleigh, whose mother had dementia, is urging people to register for the event to help the charity raise money for research and services.

Maureen, 54, had her life transformed when her mother, Violet Chalk, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She has signed up for Southampton Memory Walk to raise awareness of the condition with her daughter Nicola, 27, and is asking supporters to follow suit.

Maureen said: “My mum would always put others first and do anything to help her family. She had a wicked sense of humour and we were always laughing with her.

“As she got older, her mobility deteriorated but she kept her mind sharp reading newspapers and filling in crosswords.

“The first signs of dementia came after she returned from hospital following a bad chest infection. She seemed confused and would phone me throughout the day. On occasions, she would even knock on neighbour’s doors asking where she was.

“It took a long time but eventually she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The following months were the hardest of my life. I slowly watched my mum become a frightened, confused and frail woman.

“My daughter used to visit every day on her way to work and give her medication. My mum would refuse to take it from me, but Nicola had a special way with her and she responded well.

“Family was my mum’s world, so I am proud to be walking with my daughter in Southampton.”

More than 1,500 supporters have already registered to take part in the Southampton Memory Walk, which will be on Sunday, September 17.

More than 2,500 people in Southampton are living with dementia and last year’s Memory Walks across the country – attended by 100,000 people – raised more than £6m to help people living with the condition.

Saints icon Matt Le Tissier will be opening the Southampton Memory Walk.

Matt said: “My former teammate and Saints legend, Kevin Moore, sadly lost his battle with a rare form of dementia aged 55.

“I will be walking in his memory and for all those affected by the condition.”

Registration will close on September 14 on the Memory Walk website.