My wife Christine, a loving mother, was a former dance lecturer, a secondary school PE teacher, an adult special needs teacher and an avid French language, Tai Chi and Pilates enthusiast. We had lived in Tarvin, Cheshire, since 1974.

Her vascular dementia began to show itself in the early summer of 2017 and I acted as carer through covid and until June 2021 when the increasing severity of her physical and mental challenges outran my coping abilities. During that time we were members of the Alzheimer's Society's Northwich-based Singing for the Brain group.

Following six months in specialist residential care, Christine fell on New Year's Day 2022 and suffered an inoperable brain injury which led to her being placed, by agreement, on an end of life regime in the Countess of Chester hospital. The palliative care she received was beyond praise and like a good Yorkshire girl she fought the inevitable, but three weeks later, with me at her bedside, she peacefully departed this life .

With my own medical needs to consider I have been unable to confidently attempt a Memory Walk until now. Recent operations have given me a properly functioning heart and lungs and a new knee so, at last, I am ready to walk for Christine. In the meantime I have begun working as a volunteer within the Society's Chester-based Singing for the Brain team.

With thanks to all of you who have the kindness and compassion to contribute towards the work of the Alzheimer's Society.