Stars join people with Alzheimer’s disease in the fight against dementia

They join people from the worlds of business, politics, science and the arts, championing the rights of people with dementia and their carers.

Heather Roberts and Bill Wilson are among new Ambassadors who will represent the views of people living with dementia. Former carer Barbara Pointon, whose husband Malcolm's diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease through to his final days were filmed in the documentary Malcolm & Barbara: A Love's Farewell, is also becoming an Ambassador. The new members are announced less than a year after the network was launched at the House of Lords.

Ruth Langsford, Alzheimer's Society ambassador, says,

'My father Dennis has Alzheimer's, so I know what a cruel disease it is and how it affects everyone in a family. Dementia will affect more than a million people in less than 20 years. Alzheimer's Society is already doing so much work to support people with dementia and their carers today and by supporting them we can help make difference to the lives of millions of people in the future.'

Alzheimer's Society Vice Presidents, Patrons and Ambassadors will help support more than 1,600 staff and thousands of volunteers helping to improve the lives of people living with the condition and their carers.

Supporters already include actresses Britt Ekland, a Patron, and Lynda Bellingham and former Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay, both Ambassadors.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, says,

'It is fantastic to see even more people declaring their commitment in the fight against dementia. As a charity Alzheimer's Society relies on the generosity of the public to help us raise money to care, research and campaign for people with dementia and their carers. Our Vice Presidents, Patrons and Ambassadors programme can help us do this. They can also raise awareness about the real impact of dementia which is so much more than memory loss - it robs people of their lives.'