Our supporters are one of our greatest strengths. Thousands of people across the country are helping us in so many ways by raising money and awareness, giving up their time to volunteer and sharing their personal stories with the media.
Our supporters are one of our greatest strengths. Thousands of people across the country are helping us in so many ways by raising money and awareness, giving up their time to volunteer and sharing their personal stories with the media.
Carli Pirie
Carli, whose family has been affected with a rare familial form of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, ran the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon for the Dementia Revolution. Along with her family she raised an impressive £14,000, and she has also made a significant contribution to raising awareness of the condition by sharing her story in the media.
Carli is particularly aware of the vital importance of dementia research, and participates in the international Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN) study, which observes people at risk of familial dementia. She is an enthusiastic fundraiser and excellent ambassador for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Karen Penny
Karen set off in January 2019 on an epic 20,000 mile walk around the entire coastline of the UK and Ireland. Motivated by the loss of both of her in-laws to different forms of dementia, she aims to raise £100,000 on her journey, that will take her about three years to complete.
As she travels around the country she is not only raising vital funds for dementia research, but also raising awareness for the charity wherever she goes. A committed and cheerful ambassador for Alzheimer’s Research UK, Karen has also been in newspapers, on the radio and on the television both locally throughout the UK and nationally.
Norman Mellor
Chair of the Huddersfield Fundraising Group, Norman has shown exceptional commitment to raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK. In the financial year 2018/19 the group raised more than £30,000, contributing to its total of an incredible £55,000 since its inception.
Norman works unceasingly to raise awareness of the charity through the local media. He is always ready to help Alzheimer’s Research UK by attending presentations and building relationships on behalf of the charity. In early 2019 he was deservedly awarded the British Empire Medal for his fundraising services to charity.
Helen Beaumont
After losing her husband, Clive, to frontotemporal dementia (FTD) at the age of just 46, Helen changed career path, working on a PhD focusing on using MRI scans to look for signs of Alzheimer’s disease. She has shown exceptional commitment to Alzheimer’s Research UK as a media volunteer, sharing her powerful story.
Helen was featured in a powerful film for the launch of the charity’s Make Breakthroughs Possible campaign in 2018, gave a talk at 2019’s Alzheimer’s Show and has been featured many times in the national media, raising the profile of the charity and the need for dementia research.
Sue Strachan
Since being diagnosed with vascular dementia, Sue has been on an incredible mission to raise awareness and vital funds for research.
She ran the London Marathon in 2018, raising over £13,000. She has gone on to do a variety of fundraising activities, including running two half marathons, having her head shaved and even having the charity’s logo tattooed on her arm.
She also continues to share her story, including featuring in the Channel 4 documentary series The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes.
Andy Morris
Andy, who is a parkrun event director, was inspired to support the charity as his late mum, Peggy, had vascular dementia. He has taken part in Running Down Dementia every year since it began in 2016 and has raised more than £6,500 and clocked up over 1,500km.
The laboratory manager is also a passionate campaigner and is part of the dementia team for the PROVE (parkrun, running or volunteering for everyone) project, which aims to promote inclusivity and support for those living with dementia and their loved ones and carers in the parkrun community.
Katie Foster
Katie has been a supporter of the charity since 2008 and is a major driving force behind the success of the Shropshire Fundraising Group. She was inspired to support dementia research as her father, Tim Mahoney, died with Alzheimer’s disease in 2007.
Katie, is also a great spokesperson for the charity in her role as a media volunteer and community speaker, sharing her personal experience to inspire others to get involved and to raise awareness of the crucial need for more funding for dementia research.
Caroline Savage
Caroline is one of the most prominent members of #TeamARUK, having gone from being a novice runner to a marathon runner in just two years and raising thousands of pounds for dementia research while supporting other people who are training for events.
She was inspired to support Alzheimer’s Research UK because she is a community carer for people with dementia. She has raised more than £9,000 from taking part in Running Down Dementia, completing a 1,000-mile ‘Fit at 50’ challenge, running the London Marathon and facing her fears with a skydive.
Brenda & Stephen Whittle
Brenda and Stephen are using their experience of Alzheimer’s disease to raise awareness and help power dementia research. Brenda is living with Alzheimer’s disease and so the couple decided to help scientists in their work to find new treatments for people like Brenda by taking part in research trials.
The couple have also shared their experience of dementia with the public through media interviews and Alzheimer’s Research UK campaigns, in order to improve people’s understanding of the condition.
Trina & Graeme Armstrong
Trina and Graeme have been made Champions of Alzheimer’s Research UK in recognition of their tireless work and support for dementia research.
The couple are passionate about dementia research and raising awareness of the rare form of dementia that Trina is living with. Trina was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) in 2013 after years of sight issues. They have contributed to numerous high-profile topics and shared their personal experience of dementia, appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, and featuring in the Financial Times during its seasonal appeal as well as representing the charity at the Alzheimer’s Show in 2018.
Steve Boryszczuk
When Steve’s wife Michelle was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease he decided he wanted to do all he could to raise awareness and money for dementia research. He has since undertaken charity treks around the world in her honour and then sadly in her memory when she passed away aged only 43.
Steve now leads the Market Rasen Fundraising Group and continues to raise vital funds for research while raising awareness for Alzheimer’s Research UK through talks and media interviews.
Martin Taylor
Martin was made a Champion of Alzheimer’s Research UK alongside his late partner, Vicky Huntley, in recognition of their commitment to raising awareness of dementia, before Vicky sadly passed away.
The couple shared their personal experience of dementia to help develop a virtual reality experience surrounding the condition, dispel myths with articles in the national media as well as appearing in Alzheimer’s Research UK’s first educational art exhibition, Reframe Dementia.
Cath Baxter
Cath, a mother-of-two from Fife, was made a Champion of Alzheimer’s Research UK after raising over £40,000 for the charity.
She was inspired to support Alzheimer’s Research UK after seeing her mum, Liz Brown, diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2012. She sadly passed away in January 2017 from complications arising from her FTD.
Cath continues to fundraise for Alzheimer’s Research UK and raise much-needed awareness of dementia.
Steve Berry
Steve’s late mum Janet was only in her 50s when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Steve was shocked to learn that little could be done to help her and appalled at the lack of funding for research.
Since then Steve has been on a mission to do everything he can to help our work at Alzheimer’s Research UK. He’s taken part in numerous media interviews to raise awareness and written a book of celebrity Doctor Who memories to raise vital funds for our world-class research.
Harry Gardner
Harry penned a moving single called Not Alone – Song for Alzheimer’s at the age of just 15 after seeing how dementia had affected his Nan. The song made it to number one in the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart and has raised more than £13,000 for dementia research.
He continues to raise the profile of dementia and the need for research to combat the condition and performs his song to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Alison Blaikie
Alison’s dad William died in 2012 after an eight year battle with Alzheimer’s. Since then she has arranged a number of 26K treks through the Scottish Highlands in his memory.
As a result she has raised thousands of pounds towards our research to defeat this devastating disease. Alison has also shared her story with the media in order to increase public understanding of dementia and raise awareness of our work.
Pat Boyes
Pat’s late husband, Roland, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s when he was 58. Together they campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness and money for dementia research.
Pat continues to give her enduring support to Alzheimer’s Research UK by sharing her experience of caring for Roland.
Matthew Burke
Matthew moved from his Newcastle roots to live in London after completing a PhD in 2012, funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK. A huge supporter of our work, he took on a mammoth 100km bike ride and completed a Target Twelve Hundred challenge before setting-up the Alzheimer’s Research UK London Regional Group in 2013.
This regional group has gone from strength to strength bringing people together and raising money and awareness. Some of the more energetic members have joined Matthew on other exhausting cycle exploits, including a 100km circular night ride through our capital city.
Alison Carter
Alison knows only too well how dementia can impact on families – Alison’s mum, Leslie Fenn, cared for her husband John when he was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2007, aged 71. Leslie looked after him at home with Alison’s help.
John passed away in 2016. Both mum and daughter were determined to raise awareness of dementia and Alzheimer’s Research UK’s crucial work to defeat it, both being made Champions before Leslie sadly passed away. They shared their story with the media many times, including national radio and TV broadcasts.
Chris & Terrie Drummond
Chris first realised something was wrong when his mum Dot couldn’t remember how to make her special cauliflower cheese or remember how to answer the phone. The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease came just a year before she passed away in 2006, aged 84.
Since then Chris and his wife Terrie have done everything they can to boost funds to help Alzheimer’s Research UK defeat this disease. They’ve raised thousands of pounds by running marathons and taking part in numerous fundraising activities. This dynamic duo have even dressed as Batman and Robin to lead our Defeat Dementia Walk in Cambridgeshire and shared their experience with the media.
Chris Elsley
Chris came on board as a fundraiser in 2012 as result of our Big Walk in Cambridgeshire. Her experience of dementia has come about as a result of her work in the care industry. This has also led her into starting up her own business training professionals and families to care for people with dementia.
Chris spreads the word about our research to defeat dementia at every opportunity at events, public speaking engagements and through the media.
Paula Frances Muldoon
Paula came on board as a fundraiser in 2012. Her dad Michael died with frontotemporal dementia the same year, aged just 64. A fitness instructor and former actress in the soap opera Brookside, Paula organised a 30 mile bike ride during her first year to boost funds for the charity.
Leading on from the success of that event, she arranged a 60 mile bike ride the following year and a seven-hour exercise marathon in 2014. Through these energetic activities she has raised thousands of pounds for our vital work and increased public understanding of dementia by sharing her story with the media.
Carol Franklin-Adams
Carol’s husband Patrick was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s in 2004 at the age of 59. His love of golf kept him active. Patrick has since sadly passed away. Carol is a committed supporter of our work at Alzheimer’s Research UK, who, together with Patrick, raised over £200,000 since 2008 through various fundraising activities.
These have included a golf tournament, a 100-mile walk along the South Downs Way and a 300-mile bike ride by Carol to celebrate her 70th birthday in 2014.
Amanda Franks
Amanda’s mum Cathy has been living with early-onset Alzheimer’s for seven years and was only 58 when she received the diagnosis. Since then, Amanda has gone to great lengths to raise money and awareness to help Alzheimer’s Research UK find the treatments so urgently needed.
Her efforts have included staging a live concert for over 1,300 people – The Gig to Remember – raising over £14,000 for world-class research. A committed supporter, Amanda has also shared her story with the media on many occasions to raise awareness and help lift the stigma around Alzheimer’s disease.
Deborah Gatesman
Deborah’s late dad, James, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when he was 74. He lived with the disease for 12 years. They’d known something was wrong for some time – he mixed-up his words, struggled with numbers and started to lose the concept of time. But it took two years to get a diagnosis.
Determined to do something positive to help, Deborah has raised thousands of pounds for Alzheimer’s Research UK and raised awareness by speaking out about the impact the disease has on her dad and the whole family.
Helen German
Energetic Helen has hardly stood still since she started supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK in 2014. Her numerous fundraising activities have included a triathlon and a 90 day static cycle challenge, cycling 90k kilometres a day to celebrate her nan’s 90th birthday.
Helen would dearly love to see new treatments found for Alzheimer’s, to help people like her nan who has been living with the disease for a number of years. In addition to raising thousands of pounds for the charity, Helen has also jumped at the opportunity to share her fundraising experiences and the impact of her nan’s illness to help raise awareness.
Margaret Gibson
Margaret is Treasurer of the Alzheimer’s Research UK County Durham Group, Brighter Skies. This regional group is made up of seven friends who all got to know one another as a result of relatives and friends being affected by dementia. They decided to do something positive by setting up Brighter Skies in 2010 to fundraise for the charity.
Since then they have raised a tremendous £37,000. All the friends work hard to organise regular dances, race nights, weekly bingo sessions and much more. Margaret has been made a Champion of Alzheimer’s Research UK on behalf of the group, in recognition of the hard work and commitment of all the members.
Simon Gibson
Simon became a fundraiser for the charity in 2011 after his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Since then he has been determined to increase public understanding of the disease and has raised over £20,000 towards our research.
He has achieved this with the help of his business connections and the launch of his debut book A Joke a Day. In 2013 he arranged for Alzheimer’s Research UK to host the first of three annual race days at the Newmarket Racecourse, bringing fresh opportunities and connections for the charity.
Rosemary Goddard
Rosemary’s husband Tony was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2007, aged just 63. She looked after him at home for the first five years but since then he’s needed 24-hour care in a nursing home.
Rosemary has involved her family, friends and local community in fundraising activities to boost funds for our crucial research to find new treatments. She’s also shared her story with the media on numerous occasions to raise awareness and lift the stigma around the subject of dementia.
Chris Graham
Father-of-three Chris Graham has been made a Champion of Alzheimer’s Research UK, after undertaking a staggering 16,000-mile cycle ride around the coast of Canada and America following a life-changing diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
This accolade recognises Chris’ exceptional support as a dedicated fundraiser and spokesperson for the charity having raised more than £40,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK, a cause very close to his heart.
Vicki Graham
Vicki lost her husband Jamie to early-onset Alzheimer’s in January 2015, after a ten year battle with the disease. Jamie was only 59 when he received the diagnosis and had to give up his high-powered job in IT along with many other things – he couldn’t drive, use a computer, read or write. He had difficulty stringing words together and needed help with an increasing number of day-to-day tasks.
With Vicki’s encouragement, Jamie rowed 22 miles from Eton to Henley in 2010 and 2011 with a veteran crew of oarsmen. Vicki also successfully nominated Alzheimer’s Research UK as the chosen charity for the prestigious 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. Together the couple raised over £200,000 for the charity and Vicki is determined to continue her mission to support our pioneering research and give hope to other people.
Susie Hewer
Otherwise known as ‘the Extreme Knitting Redhead’, Susie has raised over £50,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK since her mum, Peggy, died with dementia in 2005.
As a result, she has completed 128 marathons and 14 ultra marathons and set a Guinness World Record for knitting the longest scarf and crochet chain whilst running a marathon! She is a determined campaigner for the charity and has taken part in countless newspaper, radio and TV interviews.
Vivienne Hill
Vivienne lost her mum, Mary, to Alzheimer’s in 2010. Since her mum’s diagnosis Vivienne has been an unwavering campaigner for more investment into dementia research.
She has also taken up running and raised thousands of pounds for our world-class research. After cajoling friends and family to join her in the Adidas Women’s 5K Challenge she took things a step further in 2014 and completed her first Virgin London Marathon.
Sophie Howarth
Sophie put her career on hold to care for her gran, Violet, who had vascular dementia and sadly passed away in 2017. Without any training she looked after her for a year-and-a-half until she needed specialist care in a nursing home.
Since then, Sophie has shown enduring support to Alzheimer’s Research UK by sharing her story with the media to raise awareness of our vital work and increase public understanding of dementia. She also featured in our 2014 BBC Lifeline Appeal, which raised thousands of pounds for the charity.
Sarah King
Sarah’s husband Andrew was only 43 when he was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s in 2006. It explained the gradual change in his behaviour and the reason he’d started to struggle with his job. Andrew sadly passed away in 2022.
A committed supporter of Alzheimer’s Research UK, Sarah does everything she can to raise awareness of dementia and the need for research into the diseases that cause it.
Mick Moody
Mick’s wife Elaine was only 52 when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, she died in March 2013, aged just 59. After her diagnosis, Elaine needed help with more and more day to day things but found that running was one thing she could manage on her own.
In 2008 she became the first woman with Alzheimer’s to complete the London Marathon. Within a couple of years Elaine struggled to walk without support and needed 24-hour attention. Mick was devastated when she needed to go into a special nursing home during the last months of her life. Mick and his family continue with their committed support of our crucial research.
Carolyn Morris
Carolyn’s mum Mary lived with Alzheimer’s disease for over 12 years and died in 2012, aged 92. Carolyn has spoken out extensively about that experience to raise the profile of dementia research and our work at Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Mary donated her brain to dementia research through the Brains for Dementia Research scheme. Carolyn intends to do the same.
Valerie Muncer
Valerie’s mother Nellie had a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease and died in 2007, aged 95. Since then Valerie has used every spare moment and boundless energy to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
She has involved family, friends and her local community in numerous events and raised thousands of pounds through dances, raffles, cake sales and charity collections.
Lee Pearse
Filmmaker and charity worker Lee Pearse has produced a number of films about frontotemporal dementia and has set-up The Valerie Foundation for creativity and dementia support. His late mother Valerie was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia when she was just 59. She passed away in 2015 after an eight year struggle with the condition.
Lee and his family looked after her for the first few years but eventually she needed round the clock care in a specialist home. Lee supports our work at Alzheimer’s Research UK in so many ways by raising money and awareness about our world-class research and has taken part in numerous newspaper, radio and TV interviews.
Alice Potter
Alice’s late husband Arthur was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 49. A committed supporter of Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alice continues to campaign for more investment in dementia research by sharing her story of caring for Arthur.
She has also raised thousands of pounds through various fundraising challenges, including climbing Ben Nevis and cycling from London to Paris.
Dione Priddy
Dione’s husband Mark was just 36 when he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Dione decided to do something positive by running the 2010 Virgin London Marathon to raise money for dementia research and give hope to future generations.
Sadly, Mark passed away just two weeks before the run but Dione was determined to go ahead and raised £18,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK. She continues to be a committed supporter of our work, raising money and awareness in memory of Mark.
David Read
David lost his mother, Janet, to Alzheimer’s in 2008. Since then he’s put his feelings about her long struggle into song. He recorded an album I Know that I should know you in 2009 and followed that with live concerts featuring his music and that of other artists as well as a charity ball.
David has raised thousands of pounds for Alzheimer’s Research UK and aims to raise enough to fund a complete dementia research project.
Rupert Stroud
Singer-songwriter Rupert Stroud lost his much loved grandma Eileen to Alzheimer’s in 2009. Heartbroken by her death, he put his feelings into words and released a charity single entitled Always as a tribute to her, with all the proceeds from downloads being donated to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Rupert has an ongoing programme of music concerts in different parts of the country to raise even more money for the charity. He has taken part in countless media interviews, has spoken movingly at our public events, and is keen to get more young people involved to raise awareness of dementia.
Marianne Talbot
Oxford philosopher and writer Marianne Talbot lost both her parents to dementia. After her father died with vascular dementia, her mum Lesley was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Marianne brought Lesley to live with her and looked after Lesley for five years before making the hard decision to put her into care.
She published a book entitled Keeping Mum: Caring for Someone with Dementia, which chronicles their experience together, and a percentage of the proceeds are donated to Alzheimer’s Research UK. An accomplished public speaker, Marianne has spoken on many occasions at events and through the media to raise awareness of the need for more funding for research. Read her story on our blog.
Fred Walker
Fred’s wife, Joan, had a four year struggle with Alzheimer’s and died in 2010, aged 70. Since then he has been a tireless campaigner, raising awareness of the need for more investment into research for this devastating disease.
Fred has involved his local community in fundraising events and has raised thousands of pounds for our world-class dementia research. A retired engineer, he has also written a book entitled ‘Alzheimer’s: An Engineer’s View’, with all proceeds being donated to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Philip Grant
Philip’s wife Liza was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2011, aged just 53, which explained the gradual change in her behaviour. Liza lived in a care home where she was visited by Philip and their twin sons regularly but sadly passed away in 2016.
Following Liza’s diagnosis, Philip wanted to do all he could to raise awareness of dementia and the need for vital funds to boost dementia research. As a supporter Philip has shared his story with the media on a number of occasions in an effort to aid understanding of the condition and the impact it has on families like his.
David Barnett
David is acutely aware of the need to invest in dementia research to give hope to almost one million people living with the condition in the UK. He is a committed supporter of the charity and an Ambassador for the Insight 46 Giving Club, which aims to raise £2million for research with the support of a group of leading donors.
David has played a major part in securing more than £500,000 so far for Insight 46 through his own donations and those of others he has helped inspire. This money is funding a major study that aims to gain important insights into early changes in the brain in diseases like Alzheimer’s compared to normal ageing.
Liz, Chrissi & Ciana Ayre
Liz and her two daughters Chrissi and Ciana have become prominent spokespeople for Alzheimer’s Research UK in memory of Liz’s husband and Chrissi and Ciana’s father, Mike Ayre.
Liz has contributed to numerous high profile topics surrounding dementia research and the need for more awareness of the condition while her daughters have been proactive in sharing their story of growing up with dementia. They continue to share their experience in order to help others and increase public understanding of dementia and the need for dementia research.
Shaheen Larrieux
Shaheen has been made a Champion of Alzheimer’s Research UK for tirelessly promoting dementia research and awareness of the condition. She spent more than a decade caring for her mum Hosna, who sadly passed away with behavioural variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD) in 2022. Shaheen is keen to raise awareness of the challenges that bvFTD presents both for those who have it and their families.
Shaheen has raised the profile of the work Alzheimer’s Research UK does and the need for dementia research in media interviews and at events including the charity’s Women and Dementia event at the House of Lords and the Women of the World Festival in London.
James ‘Jimmy’ Hamilton
Jimmy’s support for Alzheimer’s Research UK first started in 2014 when approached for a donation from his Charitable Trust. It was then that he chose to support the charity with personal donations, as his wife Patricia is living with dementia. Jimmy is a retired chartered engineer based in Glasgow, specialising in dredging within the ship building industry.
To date, Jimmy has pledged to contribute the largest individual donation to the Charity – £1 million towards our Defeat Dementia campaign. His substantial support and efforts to raise awareness for the charity are outstanding.
Valerie Blumenthal
Valerie is an acclaimed novelist who is living with a rare form of dementia called Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA). She has shared her experience with the national media in both features and radio interviews and has also spoken about living with dementia as a guest speaker at Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Women and Dementia conference at the House of Lords and the Women of the World Festival, following her diagnosis in 2014.
She is keen to raise awareness of the dementia and Alzheimer’s research UK in order to help others living with the condition.