Grandad to talk on walk in memory of late wife

A Teesside grandfather is set to take on a mammoth 55-mile walk in memory of his beloved wife.

- By ROAA ELHAG

Dr John Hirst, 72, decided to take on the tough challenge as a tribute to his late wife, Pat, who bravely battled a rare form of dementia.

She was diagnosed with fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) in her early 60s, just 18 months after her retirement from a dedicated career as an NHS nurse. She died at the age of 66.

Since Pat's diagnosis, John has been raising awareness about young onset dementia as well as fundraising for Alzheimer's Research UK.

John said: "Pat was diagnosed with FTD in 2012, 18 months after her retirement as a nurse in the NHS. Following her diagnosis her decline was rapid, resulting in loss of speech, an inability to swallow and for the final months she was forced to use a wheelchair.