THE Alzheimers Society is urging families to spend time together to tackle the biggest health issue of our time, by joining the Plymouth

Memory Walk on October 8 to raise money for a world without dementia.

The charity is encouraging members of the public to rally around family of all ages – from grandparents to grandchildren - and take part in the event, which is being held in association with HSBC.

A new survey by the charity reveals that 44 per cent of families in the South West only spend four hours a week or less together.

Many of the people surveyed said that they didn’t feel they spent enough quality time with their immediate families, citing “modern life” difficulties, including everyone being free at the same time, watching TV without talking, using social media or working long hours.

The leading dementia charity is asking families across Devon to make the time they spend together count and join the Plymouth Memory Walk.

Encouragingly 32 per cent of respondents said they enjoy going on a family walk and 47 per cent enjoy a family day out.

However one-in-three (34 per cent) of people said they don’t feel they take part in exercise (long walk or group sports) often enough with their families.

Considerable research shows that taking regular exercise can help reduce the risk of getting dementia, and there is also evidence to show that exercising outside in a rural environment or green spaces is also highly beneficial for people’s mental health and overall well-being.

Taking part in Memory Walk will not only help reverse the trend of families spending little time together, but can boost their mood and help reduce their chance of dementia - all while walking to raise money for a world without dementia.

From the money raised, £650 would pay for a brain scan to help diagnosis, £100 would allow someone with dementia to attend 10 Singing for the Brain® sessions and £20 would cover a month’s attendance at an Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Café.

To find out more about the Plymouth Memory Walk visit: https://www.memorywalk.org.uk/find-a-walk/plymouth/ and sign up to walk for a world without dementia.