Brit Bear paws in pounds for people with dementia

Brit, a Britannia Building Society teddy bear, is drumming up public support for Alzheimer's Society Dementia Awareness Week (6-12 July) as part of a mammoth 61-branch relay.

Brit's journey is just one of a whole host of Dementia Awareness Week events taking place, including tea days and fundraising challenges. Britannia Building Society staff from across the country hope to raise £400,000 by April 2009 to help provide essential care, advice and support to people with dementia and their carers.

Bob Nixon, National Manager of Branches at Britannia, says,

'Dementia affects millions of families across the UK and Britannia is delighted to be supporting the Alzheimer's Society as its chosen charity of the year.

Brit Bear is leading the way this Dementia Awareness Week. It will be all systems go as Brit reaches each branch and staff drum up public support for people with dementia and their carers.'

Neil Hunt, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Society, says,

'As a charity the Alzheimer's Society depends on the generously of people like Britannia staff to help care, research and campaign for people with dementia. I'd like to say a huge thanks to everyone taking part in this rally.

If we live to over 65, one in three of us will die with dementia. We are encouraging everyone to be headstrong and get active for Dementia Awareness Week and reduce their risk of this devastating condition'

A new booklet 'Be Headstrong' with top tips on how to reduce your risk of dementia is available today from local branches of the Alzheimer's Society or from www.challengedementia.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

• Britannia staff voted for the Alzheimer's Society to be its charity of the year and is raising fund and awareness throughout the year.
• 1 in 3 older people will end their lives with a form of dementia
• 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051. 1 in 6 people over 80 have dementia.
• As a charity, Alzheimer's Society depends on the generosity of the public to help it care, research and campaign for people with dementia. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting www.alzheimers.org.uk
• Alzheimer's Society Dementia Helpline number is 0845 300 0336 or visit www.alzheimers.org.uk