Joining the fight against dementia

I’ve now been in post as Director of Fundraising at Alzheimer’s Research UK for four weeks and in that short time I have already established that I have one of the best and most privileged jobs possible.

It has become very apparent to me that this is an organisation that is going places and I have immediately seen a complete and wholehearted desire to make an even greater impact on the fight to make breakthroughs possible.

We’re proud to be the UK’s leading dementia research charity. Proud but not complacent.

Loyal supporters

This collective sense of ambition is not only set by those who work within the organisation but by our incredibly loyal and generous supporters who give of both their time and money to ensure that we fund world-class science. This pioneering research will find the answers that we need and it’s only through sustained investment that we will continue to make progress.

It’s no overstatement to say that we could not carry out any of our work without our wonderful supporters and I would like to say a big thank you. Having met a number of supporters already I have been humbled by their absolute commitment towards Alzheimer’s Research UK and complete desire to find a cure.

Sense of pride

We’re proud to be the UK’s leading dementia research charity. Proud but not complacent. We know that we need to:

• Work ever harder to secure the funding that we need
•  Work ever harder to tell the story of Alzheimer’s Research UK
•  Tell everyone about the progress we‘re making and the impact that we’re having.

There’s a huge sense of goodwill for an organisation such as ours but in an ever increasing and competitive market, we need to make sure that we’re as compelling, driven and engaging as we can possibly be.

When will there be a research breakthrough?

I have two young children who, like every other child I’m sure, have the wonderful ability of wrapping their father around their little finger. I want my children to grow up in an environment where they do not have to fear being diagnosed with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

It has been said to me that there is a lack of hope around dementia, that it’s too complex a set of diseases to understand, that we’re years away from any major breakthroughs. I believe exactly the same was said about many other diseases, for example HIV, and we can now see the progress that has been made in that area. Progress that’s in part due to the level of investment given to help fund the brightest minds to find those cures.

With the huge privilege of working here at Alzheimer’s Research UK comes responsibility and it’s my absolute duty to secure the long term funding that will make the significant progress in the area of dementia. We’ve come a long way, but we still have some way to go and I won’t be satisfied that I have done my job until we see even greater inroads made.

If you are reading this blog as a current supporter of Alzheimer’s Research UK then please accept my sincere thanks for all that you are doing and will continue to do for us. If you aren’t a supporter but feel in some way inclined to help or support us then we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch because it is only through working together that we will meet our vision of a world free from dementia.