The daughter of a much-loved football stalwart will be walking in his memory and is encouraging others to take part to remember a loved one.

Donna Marquis, from Chickerell, has organised Weymouth’s first Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk in honour of her late father, former Portland United Football Club manager Barry Lawley. 

Barry, who was involved in the club for 50 years since starting out as a player in the 1960s, passed away in 2014 after a long battle with the disease. 

Now Donna, 52, wants to raise awareness of dementia and money to help the Alzheimer’s Society continue to support those living with it. 

She said: “My dad suffered with this awful disease and he was robbed of everything he was. This disease will be the new biggest killer of the 21st century, so please help us in supporting this very worthy cause.”

The sponsored walk will take place from Weymouth Pavilion to Bowleaze Cove and back, with an option for people to stop at the Oasis Café. 

Donna will be taking on the walk with her mum Josie Lawley, sister Helen Masters, daughter Sammi Jo Marquis and nephew Jake Masters. 

Donna, who works as a catering assistant at the New Look headquarters, said: “I have done lots of little things over the past few years. My daughter and I did the Alzheimer’s memory walk in Yeovil a couple of years ago and I wanted to do another but there wasn’t one in Weymouth, so I thought I will go and do it myself.” 

Sponsored memory walks take place annually in towns and cities across the country to raise crucial funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. The idea is that it is not a massive walk and is relatively flat, if you choose to stop at Oasis, so everyone can get involved.

"Dogs are welcome, wheelchair users, bring children, bring your granny, the more the merrier. The money will raised will help employ more admiral nurses which are very much in short supply, obviously the more money we raise, the more nurses can be employed.”

Walkers should meet at the Pavilion for around 9am on September 10.

There will be a fun warm up Zumba session and a tombola before setting off at 10am and arriving back at the Pavilion for 4pm.

Those taking part are encouraged to raise their own sponsorship or donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/donna-marquis1