Famous faces appeal for 10,000 volunteers to raise funds for dementia

The charities have the incredible opportunity to raise £350,000 in just two days at Tesco stores across the UK. To make this happen they want 10,000 volunteers to help collect money on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 May.

Other famous faces, who all appear in a video backing the campaign, include Ruth Langsford, Shaun Williamson, Bernie Nolan, John Altman, Gordon Banks, Richard McCourt and Paul Ross. They want people to get involved with the charity's biggest ever fundraising event - The BIG collection.

If you'd like to put your smiling skills to good use, why not donate your time at a store near you? You can even invite friends and family to join in too. As well as a chance to have fun you will be helping to build a better future for people with dementia.

Together, Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland are Tesco Charity of the Year 2011. The money raised through the collection and the partnership will help support people with dementia and help make sure people don't face this devastating disease alone.

Alzheimer's Society supporter Robbie Savage, said:

'This year 100,000 more people will develop dementia. Having played in the biggest league in the world, I've faced a lot of challenges on the pitch, but watching my father and my hero diagnosed with dementia has been the biggest challenge of my life. I know how devastating it can be on the person with the condition as well as their loved ones - and how important it is to know that support is out there when you need it.'

Alzheimer's Society's Chief Executive, Jeremy Hughes, said:

'Every little helps and donating just three hours of your spare time during the bank holiday weekend will make a huge difference to people living with dementia. It's an enormous challenge to raise £350,000 in just two days - but we know we can do it with your help. I'll be encouraging Tesco customers to give generously at my local Tesco store during the BIG collection and I hope you will be too.'

For every day of the partnership Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland want to help 300 people live better with dementia. The partnership will fund new research, dementia support professionals to help those living with the condition, and a Dementia Community Roadshow that will travel to Tesco stores around the UK raising awareness of dementia and encouraging people worried about their memory to visit their GPs.

If you can spare a few hours to collect on either Friday 27 or Saturday 28 May, please get in touch today by calling 0845 678 7678. Or why not sign up to be a team leader and coordinate a collection at your local store? To register visit www.alzheimers-tesco.org.uk

To see the Alzheimer's Society celebrity BIG collection appeal video visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/tescocelebs

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For interviews and images, please contact Jenny Hamer at jenny.hamer@alzheimers.org.uk  or call 020 7243 3595

For more information about Alzheimer's Society, Alzheimer Scotland and Tesco Charity of the Year 2011 please visit www.alzheimers-tesco.org.uk

Notes to Editors

• Together Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland are Tesco Charity of the Year 2011 and hope to raise £5 million to fund Dementia Community Roadshows, Dementia Support and research
• The partnership with Tesco presents a three step approach to help build a better future for people with dementia:
• The Dementia Community Roadshows will visit Tesco car parks all around the UK from June 2011. It will help bring people worried about their memory one step closer to achieving a diagnosis by encouraging them to visit their GP and arming them with the information they need to help them achieve a diagnosis
• After diagnosis, the Dementia Support Services will help isolated families get the specialist care and advice they need
• Two vital dementia scientists will conduct groundbreaking research into the disease and increase our understanding of possible life-changing treatments and support
• The partnership will be supported throughout the year by a range of product promotions in Tesco stores which will donate a proportion of their sales to the charities. A donation of 0.0125p will also be made by Tesco Personal Finance PLC every time a cash machine is used at Tesco until 29 February 2012. Clubcard customers can now donate their points to Alzheimer's Society

Alzheime's Society

• Alzheimer's Society is the leading support and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Alzheimer's Society provides information, education and support to help people live their lives to the full. Alzheimer's Society also funds research to improve the lives of people today and to find a cure for tomorrow www.alzheimers.org.uk
  

Alzheimer Scotland

• Alzheimer Scotland - Alzheimer Scotland provides information and support to people with dementia, their carers and families in Scotland. We provide a national dementia helpline, a network of dementia advisors, dementia nurses, home support, support groups and a range of other services throughout Scotland.  We are working to make sure no one goes through dementia on their own www.alzscot.org
  

Tesco Charity of the Year partnership

• Tesco Charity of the Year partnership - Since 1988, Tesco has chosen a different charity every year to be the focus for staff fundraising.  The Tesco Charity Trust then tops up staff fundraising to a maximum of £500,000. www.tesco.com