Call for determined volunteers to join fight against dementia in Belfast

Passionate volunteers in Belfast are being asked to come forward to help form a new fundraising group to support Alzheimer’s Research UK.

The UK’s leading dementia research charity is looking for people with a range of skills to help set up the group, which will aim to raise vital funds and awareness across the region.

Members can get involved in a variety of ways, from getting stuck into fundraising challenges that 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 groups play a crucial role in the fight against dementia, which currently affects around 4,700 people in Northern Ireland, including around 20,670 people in Belfast.

Supporters have already helped to fund 15 research projects at leading institutions across Northern Ireland equating to more than £723,000 of pioneering studies.

The charity’s Northern Ireland Network Centre unites dementia researchers across Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University. Scientists here are engaged in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical research, including exploring the potential of chemical ‘fingerprints’ in blood to help diagnose dementia earlier.

If you would like to support Alzheimer’s Research UK by helping to set up a fundraising group in your area or find out more about other fundraising opportunities within your community, Matt Clarke, Alzheimer’s Research UK Fundraising Officer for Northern Ireland is on hand to help.

Matt said:

“Dementia has a huge impact on families in Northern Ireland and it’s important to us at Alzheimer’s Research UK that local 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 Belfast with the same vision and I am looking forward to helping set up a fundraising group in the area.”

For more information about the setting up a group or volunteering for Alzheimer’s Research UK in Belfast contact Matt on 07584 657 587 or email matt.clarke@alzheimersresearchuk.org

For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org