Celebrity supporters
We've worked hard over the past twenty years to put dementia research on the national agenda. We're proud that research into these devastating conditions is now a priority that goes to the very top of Government. We didn't achieve this by ourselves, it took the backing of all of our supporters to create a voice that couldn't be ignored.
Over the years a number of high profile people have helped us make the case for more research funding. Whether, like Sir Terry Pratchett, it has included spearheading major national campaigns, or valuable donations made through TV appearances and contributions to our innovative campaigns, celebrity support can make the world of difference to Alzheimer's Research UK.
Our celebrity wall below introduces a few of the people who have supported our work and how they got involved.
- Sir Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard
Alzheimer’s Research UK Patron and perennial pop favourite Sir Cliff Richard has helped us raise awareness of the need for more dementia research for many years. Sir Cliff’s mother Dorothy died with dementia, and he has paid tribute to her by supporting our fundraising campaigns, most notably our successful Christmas appeal and BBC1’s Lifeline appeal.
Read More - Dame Judi Dench
Dame Judi Dench
Screen star Dame Judi supported Sir Terry Pratchett’s campaign for Alzheimer’s Research UK, which petitioned government to increase funding of dementia research. She also famously played novelist Iris Murdoch, receiving an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Murdoch’s relationship with John Bayley and her battle with dementia.
Read More - Sir David Frost
Sir David Frost
Alzheimer’s Research UK Patron Sir David Frost has supported the charity for nearly ten years, helping us raise awareness of the need for more dementia research.
- Sir Terry Pratchett
Sir Terry Pratchett
Sir Terry Pratchett needs little introduction. He announced his diagnosis with a rare form of Alzheimer’s at our annual conference in 2008, before becoming a patron and donating over $1 million. The best-selling novelist has been one of the world’s most outspoken campaigners on dementia issues, helping in no small way to change overall public perception of the condition.
Read More - June Spencer
June Spencer
June Spencer OBE has been the voice of Peggy Woolley in BBC Radio 4’s soap The Archers for an incredible 60 years. She is Patron of Alzheimer’s Research UK and cared for her late husband Roger who had vascular dementia before acting at the heart of a poignant storyline on The Archers which saw her soap husband struggle with the condition. June has supported us at many events and with fundraising initiatives and media work.
Read MorePhoto credit: BBC - Stacey Solomon
Stacey Solomon
Stacey shot to fame in 2009 on The X factor and has since supported us through our partnership with Iceland Foods, braving the hot seat on Who Wants to be a Millionaire and donating the proceeds of her Christmas single Driving Home for Christmas to our pioneering research programme.
- Sir Bruce Forsyth
Sir Bruce Forsyth
Sir Bruce leant his support to our petition of Government seeking greater dementia research funding. He agreed with our chief petitioner Sir Terry Pratchett that support for research in the UK was “appalling”.
Read More - Sir Richard Eyre
Sir Richard Eyre
As Director of the film Iris, about the life of author Iris Murdoch who developed Alzheimer’s, Sir Richard has made a huge contribution to increasing public understanding of the disease. He has also spoken eloquently about his mother’s deterioration with the illness on behalf of Alzheimer’s Research UK. Sir Richard became a Patron in 2001.
- Baroness Margaret Thatcher
Baroness Margaret Thatcher
Baroness Thatcher became a Patron in May 2001. She has helped Alzheimer’s Research UK to gain national awareness of the need for more dementia research. Baroness Thatcher has spoken on our behalf and helped raise much-needed money for our charity.
- Dr Thomas Stuttaford
Dr Thomas Stuttaford
As a former medical correspondent for The Times Dr Stuttaford has offered fantastic support to Alzheimer’s Research UK. He has written a number of informative articles raising the profile of dementia in a number of publications.
- Christopher Timothy
Christopher Timothy
Christopher Timothy is a popular face on the small screen, most notably in All Creatures Great and Small. Christopher shared a memory of his first experiences of the theatre for our Memories Matter campaign raising awareness of dementia.
Read More - Fiona Phillips
Fiona Phillips
Journalist and presenter Fiona Phillips is a popular face on our screens. She has also an outspoken campaigner on dementia issues, both her parents having been affected. Fiona chaired our 2011 joint event with Age UK examining what lies in store for dementia research.
Read More - Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott
One of the country’s favourite TV chefs for over 18 years kindly donated delicious recipes including Spaghetti with walnut & pecorino pesto for our Cook for a Cure campaign.
Read More - Lindsay Duncan
Lindsay Duncan
Lindsay is an award-winning actress. She has always been hugely supportive in helping to raise awareness of our vital work. In 2009, Lindsay gave a very moving talk as an introduction to a scientific debate on Alzheimer’s at The Royal Institution, and she has supported and attended high profile events for us.
Read More - Phyllida Law
Phyllida Law
Long-term friend and supporter of Alzheimer’s Research UK, Phyllida Law is a screen and stage actress and writer. Phyllida’s mother, Megsie, died with Alzheimer’s.
Read More - Tony Robinson
Tony Robinson
Actor and comedian Tony is a passionate dementia campaigner and has supported a number of our awareness raising initiatives and backing our Patron Sir Terry Pratchett’s petition to Government for greater research funding.
Read More - Arlene Phillips
Arlene Phillips
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene supported our Memories Matter campaign, sharing some personal thoughts on the emotions she experienced around her father’s dementia.
Read More - Alan Titchmarsh
Alan Titchmarsh
TV favourite and gardening expert Alan helped us with our Christmas appeal in 2011. He felt that dementia research was “vital” and that our pioneering charity was best placed to tackle it. The successful appeal raised over £200,000.
- Alison Steadman
Alison Steadman
Screen and stage star Alison helped out our Memories Matter campaign sharing her memory of landing the first audition that got her into the business.
Read More - Hugh Bonneville
Hugh Bonneville
The actor and Downton Abbey star played a key role in the Oscar-winning film Iris, playing the young writer John Bayley in a film that tackled dementia sensitively. Hugh took to the stage in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK in 2009, to read a principal role in a fundraising production of The Cherry Moon.
Read More - Sheila Hancock
Sheila Hancock
Stage and screen actress Sheila supported our petition for greater public funding of dementia research in 2009.
Read More - Fern Britton
Fern Britton
Presenter and media personality Fern Britton wrote a memory for our Memories Matter campaign. She remembered a “day of blessings” that saw the birth of her twins.
Read More - Celia Imrie
Celia Imrie
TV, stage and film actress Celia has been a long-time friend of Alzheimer’s Research UK. Representing the charity at events, Celia also worked with us on a personal project that saw her organise a fundraising play reading of her late friend Dorothy Hammond Innes’ The Cherry Moon.
Read More - Russell Grant
Russell Grant
Astrologer and TV personality Russell Grant has long campaigned on dementia issues. More recently Russell has boosted Alzheimer’s Research UK by donating tens of thousands of pounds following his successful TV show appearances.
Read More - Timothy West
Timothy West
Award-winning actor Timothy West backed our petition for an increase in public funding for dementia research.
Read More - Dame Harriet Walter
Dame Harriet Walter
Dame Harriet is a prolific, award-winning star of television, film and stage. She has long been a friend and supporter of Alzheimer’s Research UK following personal experience of the devastating impact of dementia in her family.
- Lynda Bellingham
Lynda Bellingham
Broadcaster and television personality Lynda in an outspoken campaigner on dementia issues. She has appeared at events and fronted successful fundraising appeals for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Read More - Geraint Thomas
Geraint Thomas
Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Geraint Thomas MBE took on a gruelling 170 mile charity tandem ride with his girlfriend to raise funds for us in 2011.
Read More - Gordon Brown MP
Gordon Brown MP
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown shared a special memory with us for our Memories Matter campaign. He reminisced about the 1982 World Cup match which saw Scotland take a short-lived lead against Brazil.
Read More - David Cameron MP
David Cameron MP
The Prime Minister took part in our Memories Matter campaign when he still led the opposition. Mr Cameron shared his memory of a special snow-bound sledge trip pulled by huskies.
Read More - Nick Clegg MP
Nick Clegg MP
The Deputy Prime Minister leant a special memory in support of our Memories Matter campaign, choosing to reminisce about the birth of his first child.
Read More - James Nesbitt
James Nesbitt
Acclaimed actor, presenter and comedian James Nesbitt is the star of The Hobbit, Cold Feet and Murphy’s Law. James is also Chancellor of the University of Ulster and recently spoke at the Alzheimer’s Research UK 2013 Network Conference.
Read More
Share This Page
Keep In Touch
