Call for determined volunteers to join fight against dementia in Preston and Fylde

Passionate volunteers in Preston and Fylde 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 a group, which will aim to raise vital funds and awareness in the area.

Members can get involved in a variety of ways, from getting stuck into 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 crucial part in the fight against dementia, which currently affects around 850,000 people across the UK.

Dominic Thompson, who lives in Poulton-le-Fylde, has volunteered to help set up the group. He is inspired to support the charity as his grandmother died with Alzheimer’s disease.

He said:

“Alzheimer’s slowly chipped away at the life of my beloved grandma and she sadly passed away recently.

“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.

“Alzheimer’s Research UK understands the rippling effects of dementia, which is why they are bringing communities together to get involved in supporting dementia research.

“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 powers world-class studies focusing 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.

“As the Regional Fundraising Officer, I’ll be on hand to provide support to the group as they kick-start their fundraising activities.”

To register your interest in joining the Preston & Fylde fundraising group fill in the form at www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/volunteering/alzheimers-research-uk-regional-groups

For more information contact Gillian on 07500 222 863 or email gillian.edwards@alzheimersresearchuk.org