Santander smashes fundraising record for Alzheimer’s Society

Staff at the company trekked up Mount Kilimanjaro, dressed up as Santa for fun runs, and took on countless individual challenges to raise the money. The amount raised is the most Santander has ever raised for a charity of the year partner.

The cash will fund Alzheimer's Society's online forum Talking Point for three years, and will also support the charity's befriending services.

Liz Showell, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Alzheimer's Society, said:

'I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard to raise this money. This generous donation will help us to provide essential support for people with dementia and the millions of people who care for them.'

Sheralee Morris, Santander's Community Manager said:

'Our staff have excelled themselves this year and exceeded all expectations.  Through their tremendous enthusiasm and efforts we've raised enough money to ensure Alzheimer's online service 'Talking Point' runs for 3 years and been able to extend our support to some of the vital befriending services the charity runs too.  I'm immensely proud that Santander staff have raised over half a million pounds to support this essential work.'

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Notes to editors:

About Alzheimer's Society:

• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 750,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia; more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In just ten years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Alzheimer's Society supports people to live well with dementia today and funds research to find a cure for tomorrow. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk

About Santander:

• Santander is a retail and commercial bank, based in Spain. Founded in 1857, Santander has 90 million customers, around 14,000 branches - more than any other international bank - and over 170,000 employees. In the UK, Santander was formed out of the Abbey, Bradford & Bingley and Alliance & Leicester retail networks. It has over 1,300 branches, around 4,500 cash machines and provides a full range of retail and corporate banking services to 25 million customers.