TV star Suranne Jones has written to the people of the North East asking for support in her campaign to raise awareness of the impact of dementia.
Suranne - famed for roles in dramas like Doctor Foster, Vigil and Gentleman Jack - is an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society charity. She's backing the charity's Forget Me Not campaign taking place this May and will be wearing a blue Forget Me Not badge in memory of her mum.
As part of this, the Alzheimer's Society is urging people throughout the country to wear a Forget Me Not badge in memory of those who have died with dementia, and to help those still living with the heartbreaking condition to get the support they need.
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In her letter, Suranne writes: "As an Ambassador of Alzheimer’s Society, I have felt inspired to do whatever I can to raise awareness of the devastating impact of dementia. This May, Alzheimer’s Society is asking people to wear a Forget Me Not badge, in honour of someone special and to help people living with dementia get the life-changing support they need.
"By wearing a badge and supporting the appeal, we’re showing people affected by dementia that we understand and stand with them."
The campaign will take place across May and that encompasses Dementia Action Week - from May 15 to May 21. The charity hopes to improve the shocking statistic that diagnosis rates for dementia are at a five-year-low.
Suranne adds: "Tens of thousands of people are living with dementia without access to the crucial treatments, care and support that a diagnosis can bring.
"There are an estimated 3,400 in Newcastle, and too many are facing it alone. Alzheimer’s Society’s services are a lifeline and have been used over four and a half million times in the last year."
To find out more about the appeal and consider buying a badge, visit alzheimers.org.uk/forgetmenot.
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