Becky's pictures to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society

Precious travel photos, taken by a young photography graduate before she was diagnosed with dementia at 30, have been published in a charity calendar.

Kirsty Minton, daughter of renowned bloodstock agent David Minton, and El Minton, a stalwart of the Newmarket branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, has used pictures taken in Nepal by her friend Becky Barletta for the calendar which is being sold to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.

A former ski instructor, Becky, now 35, whose family home is in Hundon, near Sudbury, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2016.

It is a rare and, in her case, a hereditary form of dementia which predominantly affects younger people. Becky can no longer communicate but her family have been open about her rapid decline, in order to raise awareness of the UK’s biggest killer.

“Becky and I became friends around 13 years ago when we lived together in London,” said Kirsty. “She was studying photography and I was working in Notting Hill. We both wanted to travel and together we spent time in India and completed a ski season, she taught me how to ski. She just enjoyed life which is why it is cruel that dementia has taken it all away from her so quickly.

“The worst part is you are helpless to do anything for her but watch. I don’t want people to remember her for this, I want to help create a legacy for Becky and show the creative, talented and full life she led.

“I created a calendar of her photos as a gift for her family this year. They all loved it which gave me the idea of doing something more for next year.

She added: “Becky had an eye for taking such beautiful photos and captured some amazing landscapes and portraits from her time in Nepal. It would be a shame not to share them.

“Selling the calendar to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society is my way of supporting Becky and others going through similar experiences. It’s also about raising awareness as many people still don’t understand the impact this condition has.

“We can all try to be more dementia friendly,” said Kirsty.

The calendar is £15 with all proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Society.

There are a limited amount which can be requested either by emailing Kirsty at kjoyminton@hotmail.com or purchased locally from The King’s Head in Dullingham.