President

John Gunning's

Chosen Charity for 2025

The Alzheimer's Society

What is Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer’s disease is a physical illness which damages a person’s brain. This eventually causes dementia, affecting memory and thinking. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.

It starts many years before symptoms start to show. Eventually, Alzheimer’s causes so much damage to the brain that the person develops dementia – their thinking skills, memory and ability to carry out everyday tasks are reduced.

Age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s, as it is for most types of dementia. This means that a person is more likely to get Alzheimer’s as they get older. Above the age of 65, a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s doubles about every five years.

Research

At Alzheimer’s Society we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. We do this by giving help to those living with dementia today, and providing hope for the future.

Dementia is the biggest health and social challenge of our time. There are currently estimated to be 982,000 people in the UK with dementia. Many are undiagnosed and facing the realities of their condition alone. As a Society, and with the help of our supporters, we’re changing that.

With your help we can give vital support to those who need it most, hold decision-makers to account, and fund groundbreaking research to transform the future for everyone living with dementia. 

Together we are help and hope for everyone living with dementia’