Fiona Phillips invites retailers to join the Clangers campaign

The range of four pin badges will be on sale at all branches of Halifax and Bank of Scotland throughout July. It is hoped that other retailers will come on board to stock the badges and support the Alzheimer's Society.

Fiona Phillips says,

'The Clangers© bring back childhood memories for me and I am sure the pin badges will appeal to many generations. My mother has dementia so I know how painful it is to watch a loved one struggle with this cruel disease.

The Alzheimer's Society aims to raise £55,000 just from selling the Clanger© pin badges through Halifax and Bank of Scotland this month and we are calling for other retailers to also stock the badges and help people with dementia, their families and carers.'

The Alzheimer's Society has been granted a licence to use the cult 70s TV characters the Clangers© for two years and Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, the makers of the series are fully behind this fundraising campaign.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said:

'The Alzheimer's Society, which is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, has a vital role to play in supporting people with dementia and their carers. Sales of these pin badges will help us to raise awareness and continue our work to help people with dementia and their carers.

The Society is grateful to Fiona for launching these great pin badges for us today and for her ongoing support.'

Alzheimer's Awareness Week 2004 (4-10 July) aims to help children and young people understand what dementia is and how it might affect someone they know - a parent, grandparent or neighbour.

Notes for editors

• 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.
• The Alzheimer's Society was yesterday announced the Medical Journalists' Association Medical Charity of the Year for 2004. The Alzheimer's Society is the first organisation to win this award.
• 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/