Alzheimer Scotland is looking for help to fund research and provide support for those living with dementia

A charity is looking for supporters to take on a challenge to boost the fight against dementia.

Alzheimer Scotland has launched its annual campaign Challenge Dementia this week, which urges Scots to shake off the January blues and sign up to a sporting challenge in 2018 to support people living with the condition across Scotland.

With research suggesting that one person in the world develops dementia every three seconds, Scotland’s national dementia charity is calling on the public to take action to support the increasing numbers of people living with the illness across Scotland by walking, running and cycling to raise vital funds. Every penny raised will support Alzheimer Scotland’s mission to help make sure no-one faces dementia alone.

Determined walker Ann Yourston, from Penicuik, who lost both parents in 2001, will fly out to China this October to take part in a Great Wall of China trek.

The challenge will see Yourston, alongside her friend and colleague Ann Robertson, take part in the hiking adventure which covers a distance of 36km over five days to raise up to £3,000 for the cause.

She said: “I lost mum and dad to dementia three months apart in 2001. The illness turned our lives upside down; but you have no choice but to pick yourself back up and carry on. Dementia is scary and is still a bit of a taboo subject, but I am already seeing things improve. Yes, it is a horrible and progressive disease but there is now so much support available to help people live well with dementia so things are moving ahead positively."

Anna Devine, director of fundraising and marketing at Alzheimer Scotland, said: “We have a huge challenge facing us in 2018 to ensure that we meet our commitment as a national dementia charity to continue providing information, advice, support and engagement across the length and breadth of Scotland.

“Each week Alzheimer Scotland invests over £105,000 to maintain support and community activities including our 24hr freephone dementia helpline, dementia resource centres, community activity organisers and a variety of projects that help make a big difference to the lives of people living with dementia and their families.

“Demand for our support is high so we really need people in Scotland to help us. Let’s join Ann and spread the Alzheimer Scotland purple far and wide at Scotland’s biggest sporting events and overseas and together we can make sure that nobody faces dementia alone.”

Find out more by visiting the Challenge Dementia website, or email [email protected]