Pair brought forward big day after dad’s shock diagnosis
A young woman from Bath was forced to move her wedding forward so her beloved dad could be there after his devastating Alzheimer’s diagnosis aged just 55.
Annie Turnball, 27, is the youngest of three siblings and described herself as a “daddy’s girl”.
She and her father Kevin were very close and shared a love of sport, particularly cross-country running and athletics.
They attended races and events together, with Kevin acting as Annie’s coach. Sadly, all that changed in 2019, when his heartbreaking dementia diagnosis came, and he now lives in a care home.
Annie, who grew up in Chippenham, said: “What 24-year-old wants to be told that their dad may not remember them next week? Before dementia took hold, dad was witty, funny and very sarcastic, but he also had a really caring side.
“He’d do anything for anyone. He loved sport, especially rugby. He would always wear shorts, even if it was snowing! When it came to the athletics track, he was my biggest champion.
“Every now and again I see glimpses that he’s still in there, but now he gets confused and easily lost in conversations. There is lots of staring into space. Occasionally he’ll crack a joke and I’ll think ‘that’s my dad.’”
Annie got engaged last summer and, due to Kevin’s deteriorating condition, she and her fiance planned their wedding in a matter of weeks to make sure her dad could walk her down the aisle.
This September, Annie will be donning her walking boots to take part in the Bristol Memory Walk to raise vital funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. She wants to show people that the disease can affect anyone, at any age.
“I’m taking part in Memory Walk because I want to raise awareness that dementia doesn’t just affect the elderly. I thought I was the only person my age to find myself in this situation, but I realise I’m not.
“I think it’s important for more people to know about the condition and how it affects people. It’s the first time I’ve felt able to share the news beyond my closest friends and family; it’s taken a long time to process.”
Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging people in Bath and Bristol to join Annie this Saturday (September 3) to help people affected by dementia through some of the hardest and most frightening times. Memory Walk will bring together people who have been personally affected by dementia, those who want to walk to remember a loved one, and people looking to raise money for charity.
Marion Child, Alzheimer’s Society head of region for the South West, said: “It has never been more important to support Alzheimer’s Society’s crucial work. Too many people in Bath, Bristol and the surrounding areas are facing dementia alone without adequate support.
“We urgently need to find a cure, improve care and offer help and understanding to the people affected.
“We are in awe of our amazing fundraisers, like Annie, who go above and beyond to raise vital funds and awareness for the estimated 92,510 people living with dementia in the South West. Every step our fundraisers take will help us provide a lifeline of support for as many people affected by dementia as possible.
“We can’t wait to see walkers of all ages and abilities return to Bristol this autumn and I would call on family, friends and colleagues from across the local area to put their best foot forward to support this vital cause.”
Hundreds of walkers have already registered to take part in Bristol Memory Walk.
Supporters can also opt to walk on their own, or with loved ones, on the paths, pavements, parks or pebbles in a location of their choosing throughout September.
Memory Walk events have been a regular fixture in the autumn calendar for over 10 years, seeing half a million walkers raise over £41 million for Alzheimer’s Society.
Visit memorywalk.org.uk to find out more about organising your own Memory Walk or taking part in Alzheimer’s Society’s organised events this autumn.