The event, organised by Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, the New England Division of General Practice and Armidale Dumaresq Council, is part of an international initiative to recognise people living with memory loss and their families as well as promoting risk reduction.

Armidale’s Memory Walk begins at Albion Park (opposite TAFE) at11am and will continue along the Creeklands to Stephens Bridge.

Activities at the destination will include a jazz band, tai chi and signing memory canvases has been organised.

“As our population ages, all forms of dementia will become more prevalent,” Mr Torbay said. “Alzheimer’s is particularly cruel because people can contract it at a relatively young age. It is an issue we have to face and acknowledge and also continue to hope that some of the current research will come up with a breakthrough to cure this insidious disease.”

Mr Torbay will cut the ribbon to start the walk. He is a strong supporter of the Division’s Memory Assessment Program which assesses memory loss in its early stages when it is most treatable.

More than 220,000 Australians have been diagnosed with dementia and one third live in NSW. Alzheimer’s Australia NSW runs programs to support people with dementia and those who care for them.

It also runs a risk reduction campaign and offer advice on the National Dementia Helpline 1800-100-500.