Rugby star Brent Cockbain calls on his supporters to help Alzheimer's

Brent, who will be missing the last game of the Six Nations tournament on Saturday 27 March due to injury, recently raised £1,000 for the charity by auctioning a World Cup jersey and hopes to find other ways to help the Alzheimer's Society throughout the year.

Brent says,

'I decided to get involved in the Alzheimer's Society because of my grandmother. She's had dementia for at least 12 years and is pretty much incapacitated. It's very hard for me to see this, and particularly to see the effect it has had on my grandfather who has now really lost his partner. For a long time he cared for her, but he's unable to do that now.

'Alzheimer's effects 1 in 20 of us over 65 and 1 in 5 over 80; these are really scary statistics. Fortunately so much has been achieved in the last 25 years by research, and a cure for Alzheimer's is always getting closer. But to continue the search and care for many people with dementia the Alzheimer's Society needs more funds.

'There are loads of ways that people in Wales can get involved, raise money and have a good time in the process. Why not run the Cardiff marathon or do a sponsored parachute jump at the Whitchurch or Cirencester centres? If you want to go further afield join one of the Society's Overseas Challenges or run the Dublin or New York marathons!'

Rugby runs strong in Brent's family who are from Coff's Harbour, Australia; Brent's brother Matt, who is the greatest influence on his career, has fifty-nine caps for the Wallabies. Brent's greatest rugby memory so far was beating the London Irish in the 2002 Parker Pen Shield semi-final. He says,

'I'm very much enjoying the Six Nations Tournament. The rugby is going really well and I've started every game so far. Sadly I will be missing the last match against Italy on Saturday.'

Brent continued:

'The Alzheimer's Society is hoping to raise £500,000 this year from people taking part in challenges and events so please do what you can and make the 25th anniversary year a real success.'

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.
• 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/