Acoustic single offers support to thousands with dementia

Damian Morgan and Mike Doyle's song 'The Dimming of the Light' will be available through the Tune Tribe website as a special promotion from Monday 20 August and through iTunes, Napster and all major download sites the following week.

Damian and Mike were compelled to write the track by his personal experience of the devastating affects of Alzheimer's disease, after Damian's mother was diagnosed six years ago.

Damian Morgan says,

'My mother is now in the final stages of the disease and it has had a massive effect on the family and friends - the physical person is still there but personality and everything that the person once was slowly fades away.

I wanted to express the frustration, anger and sadness that I have felt as a son watching dementia rob my mum of her life. In the past, other people's poetry has helped me release a lot of pent up feelings that I couldn't articulate myself. I hope this song has the same effect on others.

I would like to urge everyone to download this single, to raise awareness and help support other people with dementia and their families.'

Jo Swinhoe, director of fundraising and marketing, says,

'The Dimming of the Light' will be the Alzheimer's Society's first charity single and we are delighted that Damian and Mike have chosen to support us this way.

One in three older people will end their lives with dementia and the impact on them and their families can be devastating.

As a charity we rely on the generosity and remarkable spirit of people like Damian and Mike to provide essential support, care and advice to people with dementia and carers.'

Doves guitarist Jez Williams, says,

'I have pre-ordered Damian & Mike's single and fully support this very important project.'

Ex Smiths drummer Mike Joyce, who is supporting the release of this single, says,

'My father died after suffering with Alzheimer's disease. I hope Damian and Mike's song helps raise awareness and lots of money for the Alzheimer's Society.'

For interviews with the band or with a spokesperson from the Society, please contact the Alzheimer's Society press office. The single will be released through London-based label Pronoia Records and distributed by Cargo, who work with the likes of Bob Dylan and the Manic Street Preachers amongst others. It can be obtained by pre-order by visiting http://www.tunetribe.com/Album?album_id=1069590.

Notes for editors

• For more information about Damian please visit www.myspace.com/damianmorgan
• The single is available a week early (from the 20th August) as a special promotion by Tune Tribe.
• The video will be made by http://www.criis.org/.
• 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 5 people over 80 have dementia.
• The Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and those who care for them. The Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• As a charity, the 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 http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/.
• The Alzheimer's Society Dementia Helpline number is 0845 300 0336 or visit http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/.