A FELLWALKER living with dementia is to make a guest appearance to help launch a major charity event.

Sion Jair, 66, of Larch Grove, Ulverston, made headlines in July when he scaled 12 Lake District peaks in less than 24 hours with his partner, Wendy Kolbe.

Now he has pledged to climb the equivalent of Mount Everest by making 12 ascents of Coniston Old Man over four consecutive days.

But before embarking on his latest challenge, Mr Jair will be a guest of honour at Memory Walk, the Alzheimer’s Society's flagship fundraising event in Cumbria, which takes place in Carlisle's Bitts Park on Saturday.

Mr Jair, who has Alzheimer's disease, said: "I'm thrilled to have been asked to take part in Memory Walk and to say a few words before it gets under way.

"It’s my mission to show that life does not end when a diagnosis of dementia begins.

"I truly believe that staying active has kept my dementia at bay and that you can live well with the condition.

"I plan to use the occasion to send out a message of hope to those present, most of whom will be walking in memory of, or to pay tribute to, a loved one."

Around 1,000 people from across Cumbria are expected to participate in this year's event, which has two distances covering 6km and 1.5km.

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It will be officially launched by Councillor Beth Furneaux, cabinet member for health and social care services at Cumbria County Council.

Rebecca Scott, Memory Walk officer, said: "This year’s event in Carlisle looks set to be our biggest yet in Cumbria.

"We're thrilled both Cllr Furneaux and the inspirational Sion Jair are able to attend."

Participants must register in advance. For more information, click here or call 0300 330 5452.

Dementia facts

- Dementia is a term that describes symptoms associated with a decline in memory and thinking skills. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 per cent of cases.

- Symptoms of dementia can include impaired memory, impaired communication, confusion with times and dates, poor ability to focus and pay attention, lack of reasoning and impaired visual perception.

- Research shows that 850,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia.

- In less than 10 years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to two million people by 2051.

- 225,000 will develop dementia this year, equating to one person every three minutes.

- Dementia costs the UK economy over £26bn every year. This is the equivalent of more than £30,000 per person with dementia.