MEMORIES give our lives meaning - which is what makes dementia such a heart-breaking disease.

Many people joke they have dementia when they are a bit forgetful, but one St Helens woman is raising awareness of its true impact after losing her beloved grandma to the condition in April.

Zoe Harrison, 20, who lives in Albert Street in the town centre, is taking on a 10k challenge to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society.

Zoe, a project manager at Hyperext Ltd, told the Star how her grandma Freda died after suffering with dementia for just a year.

She said: "I saw some jokes on Facebook about dementia and, although I knew they were only jokes, it made me think that lots of people still don't take diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's seriously. People don't know what it's like until it happens to someone close to them."

Freda was 85 when she died and had gone down hill quickly, according to Zoe.

She said: "It broke my heart to see her the way she was at the end. Her reality was so different to ours.

"She was and always will be one of the most important people in my life and although I can't do anything to bring her back, I want to help others who are suffering with the disease."

She added: "Even though she had lost her memory of who I was, she was still the same person inside and still just wanted to cheer other people up and make them laugh."

Zoe, whose great uncle also has dementia, said when she heard about the memory walk at Aintree Racecourse, she decided to take part and raise cash for - and awareness of - dementia. Her initial target was £500 but she has almost reached that already so is now aiming higher.

She said: "You just turn up, walk and raise money - I've nearly reached my target, however I'd like to raise more and get the message about the disease out to a wide range of people.

"I hope I can help other families and people who suffer with the disease."

The Memory Walk, which includes a 2k event as well as the 10k, takes place on Sunday, October 5 at 10am.

To donate online, visit justgiving.com/Zoe-Harrison5/ or to donate via text, text ZOEH48 plus the amount, for example ZOEH48 £5, to 70070.