A PRIMARY school teacher who was diagnosed with dementia at just 51 is raising awareness for families living with the condition.

Marie Ouldridge was told the news at the end of last year after she contacted her GP about forgetting certain words.

At first they thought it might be down to the menopause or stress but after being referred to the hospital to have an MRI, doctors spotted that she had shrinkage on the left side of her brain.

Then she was referred onto specialists in Oxford it was then she was told she had semantic dementia.

“Now I understand I’m living with a progressive condition that currently has no cure,” said Marie, a former pupil of Holy Rood Junior School who went on to teach there.

“I’ve been a schoolteacher for 27 years, currently teaching Year 1 pupils. I’m also fluent in French and teach that too. You expect all this to help your brain, so it is hard to come to terms with.

“In class, I’ll be showing children pictures and suddenly I know the first letter of what it is, but the rest of the word just isn’t there. As soon as the children say it, I know if they are right or wrong.

“I’m still very capable of working and colleagues have been supportive. I don’t want people to feel sad or sorry for me, I just want to carry on and adapt where I need a little extra support.”

Marie and her husband Neil have been married for 35 years and have three grown-up children. They have been spending more time together as they come to terms with the diagnosis.

During lockdown the family came across Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk campaign.

They decided it was the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and share the news with wider family and friends.

Registering as Team Ouldridge, they created a JustGiving page and set a target to raise £400.

They decided on a 20k route around Swindon, which would see them walk past memorable places such as former homes and schools they attended.

Their total currently stands over £3,300.

Neil said: “We can’t believe how generous people have been. I think it’s because for many wider family and friends this is the first time they were hearing of Marie’s diagnosis.

“It has shocked a lot of people but also people are talking about it more which we feel is so important. We knew nothing about dementia before and now we’re learning each day.

“Anything we can do as a family to spread further awareness, especially of research going on to find a cure, we will. It’s also important for us to keep positive and make plans where we can for the future.”

Alzheimer’s Society area manager for Swindon Kelly Inwood said: “It’s such a selfless act from Marie and her family, wanting to help others when themselves are trying to process their own situation.

To support the family’s fundraising visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Neil-Ouldridge