Alzheimer’s charity calls on volunteers to form support group to tackle dementia
Volunteers in the Preston and Fylde areas in Lancashire are being asked to come forward to help form a new fundraising group to support charity Alzheimer’s Research UK.
The research charity is looking for people with a range of skills to help set up a group, which will aim to raise vital funds and awareness of dementia in the area.
Members can get involved in a variety of ways, from fundraising challenges to raise money for pioneering research, to representing Alzheimer’s Research UK at events and spreading the word about the charity within their local communities.
Alzheimer’s Research UK regional fundraising groups play a pivotal role in the fight against dementia, which currently affects around 850,000 people across the UK.
Dominic Thompson has volunteered to help set up the group as he is inspired to support the charity after his grandmother died with Alzheimer’s disease.
“Alzheimer’s slowly chipped away at the life of my beloved grandma and she sadly passed away recently,” he commented.
“A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s doesn’t just impact that one individual though. As my grandma began to deteriorate, she became aggressive and forgot all our names. I saw her condition impact my entire family.
“This forced me to realise that dementia’s power reaches far beyond the individuals who have the condition and that there simply isn’t enough being done to defeat it.”
Commenting that Alzheimer’s Research UK understands the devastating impact of dementia, Dominic added that the charity helps bring communities together and encourages people to support dementia research.
He continued: “There are Alzheimer’s Research UK regional fundraising groups all over the country raising funds and educating the public about dementia.
“We are in the process of assembling a fundraising group in the Preston and Fylde area, so if you would like to contribute whatever free time you can offer, please do get in contact.”
Alzheimer’s Research UK’s studies focus on prevention, diagnosis and treatments for dementia and has funded 43 research projects in the North West, providing grants totalling £3.5m.
Gillian Edwards, Alzheimer’s Research UK Regional Fundraising Officer for the North West, said: “Dementia has a huge impact on families and it’s important to us at Alzheimer’s Research UK that communities have the opportunity to come together and get involved with supporting dementia research.
“Regional fundraising groups are vital in helping us to defeat dementia, both through raising funds and helping to spread awareness of this cruel condition.
“Alzheimer’s Research UK’s vision is a world free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia and our supporters are key to helping us bring about the first life-changing dementia treatment by 2025.
“We’re confident we’re going to find passionate and dedicated fundraisers in Preston and Fylde with the same vision and we can’t wait to welcome them.”
Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading charity specialising in finding preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia.