Bonny Hills resident Nikki Bawden hopes to one day see a world free of dementia.
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Mrs Bawden was among the supporters who participated in the Port Macquarie Memory Walk and Jog at Westport Park on Sunday (April 18).
She took part in the Dementia Australia fundraiser in memory of her father-in-law Drexel Bawden who lost his battle with dementia two years ago.
"My father-in-law was a strong and vibrant person, in the British army, a businessman, a husband, a father, a father-in-law and an amazing grandfather," Mrs Bawden said.
"It is such a horrible disorder for people to go through and for the family."
Mrs Bawden said the family watched the disease progress.
"To see that happening to him was very heartbreaking," she said.
"I wanted to do what I could to help towards research."
Mrs Bawden clocked up a total of 652 kilometres over the past two and a half months including 7.6km at Sunday's Dementia Walk and Jog.
She raised $1531 to assist Dementia Australia.
Funds raised through the Memory Walk and Jog series help provide invaluable support, education and resources for people living with dementia in Australia, their carers, families and friends.
The community support also drives non-stop research partnerships.
Mrs Bawden said the Memory Walk and Jog was cathartic.
"There were people around you, supporting you, and there were times when you could be on your own," she said.
The Port Macquarie Memory Walk and Jog raised more than $20,000.
There are an estimated 4700 people living with dementia in the Cowper electorate.
That figure is projected to increase to about 5900 by 2058.
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