Liverpool mayoral hopeful Steve Rotheram joined 3, 400 people in a walk to fight against dementia.
He teamed up with Jill White and her 12-year- old daughter Olivia, to cut the ribbon to start Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk.
All have personal experience of dealing with dementia and both parents of the St Helen’s mum were diagnosed with the disease within the same month.
“I took part for my mum who is living with Alzheimer’s and in memory of my dad who died with it, view as well as for everyone struggling with the disease,” said Jill.
“When both my parents were diagnosed with the condition so close to each other, it was a massive shock. We all miss my dad so much.
“It’s wonderful so many people walk together to grow the awareness of dementia as well as to raise funds needed for research and services to help people.”
Mr Rotheram said: “My campaigning on this issue is for deeply personal reasons. My mum, Dorothy, lived with dementia in her final years.
“I questioned why she wasn’t diagnosed earlier, why there was a lack of treatments and why this crippling disease was never really spoken about.”
“In Merseyside alone there are 18,294 people living with dementia and the reality is that the number in the UK is set to rise.
“It is vital that we continue to raise awareness in order to support people living with the condition in our community
As a Metro Mayor candidate and MP he committed to “helping our whole region strive towards being more dementia friendly.”
With him in the line-up putting their best feet forward in Croxteth Park was fellow Labour politician George Howard, MP for Knowsley, added:
“Dementia touches so many lives and it can be a struggle to know what to do for the best,” he said.
“I am really pleased to be able to support Liverpool Memory Walk – it is such an important event.
“The walk is wonderful opportunity to show support for people living with dementia and their loved ones, to learn more about what help is available and to have fun.”