Alzheimer's Society named disability charity of the year

In recognition of this work the Alzheimer's Society has been named as disability charity of the year at the 2007 Charity Awards.

The judges mentioned three particular strands of activity.

The Hands of Dementia Drugs campaign was started in reaction to NICE's recommendation to cease access to Alzheimer's drugs on the NHS. As a result of the campaign, NICE was forced to revisit its guidance and in January 2006, reversed its decisions to completely withdraw drug treatments by announcing those in moderate stages of the disease could have access to the drugs.

The Coronation Street project saw the charity maximise the opportunity presented by key character Mike Baldwin developing dementia. The show attracts an audience of millions, thereby opening up the issue to many who did not previously understand the condition.

The Dementia UK report was developed to establish a firm evidence based on the impact of dementia in the UK. Over 200 opinion formers, including the Treasury and Department of Health officials attended the launch. The report found that 700,000 people suffer from dementia in the UK, there will be 1.7 million people with dementia by 2050, the economic cost of dementia is over £17 billion a year and family carers save the UK £6 billion a year through providing care.

Andrew Chidgey, head of policy and communications said:

'These are statistics that cannot be ignored and we are proud to have made sure the country knows how serious the condition is.'

The Charity Awards are a annual event and this year 500 charities were nominated for 10 categories with United Response and the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society being the other charities short listed for the disability charity.

Congratulations to all our campaigners and media volunteers across the country.