Derby County are delighted to announce that it has linked up with Alzheimer’s Society as their official charity partner for the next two seasons.
The partnership will see the club host and organise a number of different events over the course of the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons in order to raise as much money as possible for the Derby-based charity.
Alzheimer’s Society’s mission is to transform the landscape of dementia forever. Until the day a cure is found, they are striving to create a society where those affected by dementia are supported and accepted, able to live in their community without fear or prejudice.
Nationally there are over 850,000 people in the UK living with Dementia, it is forecast that by the year 2025 this will rise to over one million.
More importantly there are 14,000 people with dementia in Derbyshire, including 3,000 in Derby. Across the East Midlands there are more than 60,000 people with dementia – a number that would almost fill Pride Park Stadium twice over.
Sadly, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease or any other type of dementia, however delaying the onset of dementia by five years would halve the number of deaths from the condition, saving 30,000 lives a year.
Dementia research is desperately underfunded. For every person living with dementia, the annual cost to the UK economy is over £30,000 and yet only £90 is spent on dementia research each year.
John Vicars, Derby County’s chief operating officer, said: “We’re delighted to join forces with Alzeheimer’s Society for the next two years.
“I’m sure a lot of Derby supporters will have experienced dementia in their lives, whether they are living with the illness themselves or a family member or friend that sadly has dementia.
“As a club, we would like to make a difference and we are pledging to assist Alzeheimer’s Society in any way we possibly can over the next two seasons with the great work they are doing across the country.”
Helen O’Connor, Alzheimer’s Society services manager for Derbyshire, said: “Dementia deaths are rising year on year and 225,000 will develop dementia this year - that’s one every three minutes.
“In Derbyshire alone there are 14,000 people with dementia and thousands of carers selflessly undertaking a job which can be very stressful and overwhelming.
“But life doesn’t have to end when dementia begins and people living with the condition should be able to continue doing the things they want to do, like supporting their football club, after a diagnosis.
“We are delighted to have the support of Derby County Football Club, which is a club right at the heart of the local community. Together we can make a real difference to the lives of fans affected by dementia.”
There is also now a Just Giving page set up where you can donate to a fantastic cause. Click here for full details.
Or simply text ASDC84, with the amount you wish to donate, to 70070. You will be able to add Gift Aid at no extra cost.
Find out more about Alzheimer’s Society and their mission statement by heading to their website: alzheimers.org.uk.