Monty Python star Terry Jones has helped publicise the fight against dementia by joining a Memory Walk.

News that the 75-year-old, who directed Python films Life Of Brian and The Meaning Of Life, is suffering from primary progressive aphasia, a rare form of dementia, was announced last year.

The writer and director walked with 3,500 people to unite against dementia at the London Memory Walk.

Terry Jones on the Memorial Walk (Alison Telfer)
Jones on the Memory Walk (Alison Telfer)

Jones was accompanied by his daughter Sally Jones and his former partner Alison Telfer as he took part in the Alzheimer’s Society event in central London, opened by Birds Of A Feather star Linda Robson.

Telfer said: “Terry can’t speak because he is living with a rare form of dementia and it is just so awful because he can’t do all the things that he used to do.

“But he still enjoys going out for long hikes and so we took part in our local Memory Walk because we wanted to support him continue to do things he loves and because it was for a cause close to our hearts.

Terry Jones with Linda Robson (Alzheimer's Society)
Jones with Linda Robson (Alzheimer’s Society)

“Terry really enjoyed walking with fellow Memory Walkers. When he got home, after lunch at a pub on the way back, he wanted to go – and went – for his normal post-lunch walk on Hampstead Heath for another one and a half hours.

“Sadly, we now know just how absolutely devastating dementia can be for families affected by the condition which can be heartbreaking at times, but we felt we had to do our bit to help with fundraising and raising awareness.”

There are 34 fundraising Memory Walks taking place nationwide this autumn.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Someone develops dementia in the UK every three minutes. Every pound raised at Memory Walk will help Alzheimer’s Society provide information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by dementia.”