Ulster Rugby vs Cardiff Blues

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ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY
Alzheimer’s Society champions the rights of people living with
dementia and the people who care for them. Through our work we
support people to live well with dementia today and fund research
to find a cure for tomorrow.
There are currently 19,765 people in Northern Ireland
living with dementia, with that figure set to rise as
the population ages. We have more than 135 local
services and we rely on voluntary donations to provide
these. We provide information and support to people
through our National Dementia Helpline, CrISP (Carers
Information and Support Programme), Dementia
Advisers and Support Workers, Dementia Cafes,
Befriending, Carer Support Groups and our innovative
Singing for the Brain groups.
We are dedicated to
defeating dementia through
pioneering research, and fund
an innovative programme
of research into the cause,
cure, care and prevention of
dementia.
By 2017, we aim to spend at
least £10 million a year on
new research projects that
will make a real difference to
people’s lives.
We demand a better future for everyone affected by all
forms of dementia and with the help of our members
and supporters we campaign for change that will
improve all aspects of care and support.
To find out more about Alzheimer’s Society,
please visit or call
028 9066 4100
‘DON’T KEEP IT UNDER YOUR HAT’
Alzheimer’s Society is urging people worried about
their memory ‘Don’t Keep It Under Your Hat’, which
kick-offs at a special themed charity match tonight
against the Cardiff Blues. Supporters are asked to
wear a hat as a conversation starter, encouraging
people to talk and support the campaign - the funkier
the better!
Many of us notice that our memory gets worse as
we get older, but it can be difficult to tell whether this
is a sign of an underlying condition like dementia.
Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging people to seek
help as soon as possible. There are nearly 7,000
people with dementia in Northern Ireland who don’t
have a formal diagnosis and without a diagnosis they
cannot receive the support, information and treatment
they need to live well with dementia.
Liz Cunningham, from Belfast, was 48 years old when
she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s: “I
was still working as an IT teacher when I first started
having worries about my memory and when I went to
the Doctor, they thought it was just the menopause.
I became very emotional, distraught and I couldn’t
even form a sentence without crying - I never thought it
would be dementia.
“A year later I was diagnosed
with early-onset Alzheimer’s
at 48 years old. I am now
52 and my life has changed
dramatically since my
diagnosis. I can still do things,
but I just have to find different
ways of doing them. There is
definitely life after diagnosis and
I’m proof of that - you just need
to pace yourself and not panic.
“Dementia can be a very isolating disease - I’m lucky
that I have a lot of support from my husband and
family and of course, the Alzheimer’s Society. This
support has helped me create a new more positive life
that has made my life worth living.”
MEMORYWALK
This year’s Belfast Memory Walk was the biggest
and best it’s ever been! Almost 3,000 people of all
ages enjoyed the late autumn sun and walked around
the Stormont Estate in Belfast. The annual event
is a chance to remember loved ones, with people
choosing to ‘walk for’ grandmothers, grandfathers,
wives and husbands affected by dementia.
The event has already raised over £120,000 to
help fund Alzheimer’s Society vital services across
Northern Ireland. The walk was officially started by
Ulster Rugby’s Craig Gilroy, who attended with his
family. Every year the success of the Memory Walk
is dependent on fantastic volunteers who help with
marshalling, registration and countless other tasks.
We would like to thank everyone who took part and
everyone who supported this year’s Memory Walk.
ULSTER RUGBY CHARITY PARTNER 2015/16