ONE woman is taking on the town to make it dementia aware after launching her own campaign to make Warrington dementia friendly.

Carol Bevan saw firsthand the huge impact the condition can have after her mum Maureen was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 56.

The 44-year-old said: “My mum died at Christmas from dementia aged 69, she suffered with the condition for 15 years. I have got to know the condition over the years.

“I believe there is not enough awareness of it, unless you are touched by it you’re not going to know what impact it can have on a person’s life.

“If we can get more people dementia aware people with the condition will be encouraged to stay in their own homes for longer.

“I believe if there’s one bad experience when they go to the shop they would never go out again, they will stay at home and give up.”

Carol, of Sandalwood Close, Orford, believes by bringing the condition to light businesses can spot telltale signs that customers may need extra help or monitoring and stop people finding themselves in situations like her mum did.

“My mum went shopping one day and I couldn’t find her,” said Carol. “She was in the police station because she was found shoplifting. She would never do that before dementia. Imagine my mum in this cell, she didn’t know what was going on.”

Carol has taken inspiration from Norm McNamara, who has worked to get his own town Tobay dementia aware.

“Because dementia is on the increase I knew something had to be done and I want to get my town dementia aware. I know it can be done because someone else has done it,” she said.

Already 17 businesses have signed up to her scheme including hairdresser’s Lisa B’s and all those taking part will display a purple sticker saying they are dementia friendly under the scheme of ‘purple angels’.