A MAN who is raising money for an Alzheimer’s charity in honour of his mother, a former long-serving teacher in Marlborough, completed a 22km walk for the cause over the weekend.

Tim Emery, 45, from Aldbourne, was one of 700 walkers to take part in Alzheimers Society's Memory Walk to raise money for those living with the disease, one of whom is his mum, Pat Emery.

The walk itself took place in South Shields, Mrs Emery’s hometown.

She moved to Marlborough in 1970 and worked as a teacher in several local schools, including Oare Primary and Great Bedwyn. Mrs Emery finished her teaching carer as a long-serving member of the staff at St Peter’s School in Marlborough where she was a well known and loved.

She retired in 2001.

Mr Emery said: “My mum was and is an incredible woman. She was a teacher, a feminist, a political activist and, of course, a mother.

“Mum’s working life was dedicated to teaching the children of Marlborough.

“She taught hundreds, if not thousands of children in the 1980s, 1990s and early part of the 21st century, including me circa 1982! To many she would have been known for her love of cats and her red Mini.”

Mrs Emery was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2009 whilst in her early sixties, and stayed in the area until 2017.

She is now a resident at the Miranda House Care Home in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Mr Emery added: “I felt travelling up to where Mum was raised would honour her memory. We used to travel up every year to visit relatives when we were growing up.

“I really felt a connection with her on the day and it was very poignant walking where she grew up.

“I was also really touched by the number of people who had pictures of their loved ones that they took on the walk.

“I quickly made friends with Jarrow-born Les Cooper, a 58-year-old old who lives in Durham.

“He was walking for his mother-in-law. It wasn’t a race but I finished 120th in 3hrs 52mins and 10 seconds.

“I feel amazing for having done this for mum and such a worthy cause.”

So far Tim has raised over £630 for Alzheimer’s Society, and the event collectively has raised more than £82,000.

If you would like to support Mr Emery’s fundraising, you can make a donation online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mw318680