A soldier’s daughter joined an army of more than 1,500 people for a memory walk.

The Alzheimer’s Society worked with Gemma Evans and hundreds of others to arrange a series of walks and raise awareness of dementia.

The Mayor of Watford, who pledged as part of his election campaign to make Watford a “dementia friendly” town, also joined.

Ms Evans’ father Stephan, who served in the Queens Dragoons, died at the age of 62 after being diagnosed with dementia at the age of 58. Since then, she has been campaigning to fund the search for a cure to the illness, including the Watford Memory Walk.

And in the sunshine on Saturday, 1,500 turned up in Cassiobury Walk to do their bit for charity. They had a choice of taking part in a 20km walk followed by a 3km stroll, or a 9km stretch which turned out to be the most popular.

The day proved to be a success and pictures from the day proved that everyone was able to have a little bit of fun even if it was for a more serious cause.

Watford Observer:

Ms Evans said: “It was great to be walking with so many people united against dementia and I know dad would have been proud. He’d have said ‘Good on yer!

“Seeing the number of walkers I was sad that so many lives have been touched by dementia – but happy that all of us joined together in the fight to fund the search for a cure.

“It’s really important to me. My dad was left unable to write, read, speak, walk or even get dressed without help as a result of the disease.”

Mayor Taylor added: “It's a real honour to be invited to take part in the Memory Walk in Watford and to join Gemma cutting the ribbon to start so many people on their way.

Watford Observer:

“This is a great opportunity to raise awareness and much needed funds for a fantastic cause.

"I am passionate about making Watford a more dementia friendly town. Dementia is a condition which is more and more prevalent in society and I know from my own experience the impact it can have on an individual and those around them.”

According to the society, dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer with someone developing it every three minutes.

The Alzheimer’s Society said it is committed to spending at least £150 million over the next decade on dementia research.