LOCAL MP JOINS FIGHT AGAINST DEMENTIA

Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell pledged to support the 800,000 people living with dementia in Stockport and right across the UK in an event in Westminster last week.

Alzheimer's Society campaigners were in Westminster to drum up political support for their Dementia Friends initiative. Dementia Friends aims to help people understand what it might be like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action.

Commenting, Andrew said:

"Sadly one in three people over 65 will develop dementia in their lives, and it is a health issue that we cannot ignore. For the sufferer's family and carers it can be agony, too, and I want to see us face up now to the serious questions that raises."

Alzheimer's Society is aiming to have one million Dementia Friends by 2015, to help make England more dementia-friendly and improve the lives of the 650,000 people currently living with the condition.

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

'Most people don't know enough about dementia. Dementia Friends is the perfect opportunity to be able to invite everyone to improve their knowledge. We are pleased to have been able to engage over 130 MPs in one day. They have a huge influence in their local communities and we hope they will use this opportunity to take action and improve lives'.

If you are interested in becoming a Dementia Friend or helping create more communities that are dementia friendly, go to dementiafriends.org.uk to find your nearest information session or to volunteer as a Dementia Friends Champion.