Stars celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Alzheimer's Society

Katie Boyle, Claire Rayner and Angela Rippon will also be joining in the festivities, as they toast the Society's silver jubilee in the beautiful Goldsmiths' Hall, which has one of the finest collections of English silver in the country.

More than 200 people will attend the special reception on Wednesday, 14 January 2004, including celebrities, MPs, the Society's best supporters and major donors.

Guests will also include Brent Cockbain, a member of Wales' World Cup Rugby team, Lord Moser, Baroness Blatch OBE, Baroness Greengross, Baroness Jay and Susan Hammerson OBE. Peter Vance the 17-year-old author of Message to a Grandchild will also be attending.

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

'Twenty-five years ago, the odds stacked against the Society's survival were almost overwhelming. Today, we have achieved more than our founders might have believed possible.

People with dementia and their carers now have a 'voice' like never before, yet there is still much to be done to improve their lives while we work towards a cure for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.'

Anne Robinson will be speaking at the event, urging attendees to pledge to support to the Society in the coming year.

The Goldsmiths' Hall silver collection includes the Bowes Cup, believed to have been used by Queen Elizabeth I at her Coronation banquet in 1558.

Notes for editors

Media are invited to attend a photo call, at 6:30pm, prior to the event.

• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers and celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2004.
• Over 750,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's disease.
• Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80.
• There are 18,500 people in the UK under the age of 65 with dementia.
• For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.
• Our website address is http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/