The Alzheimer's Research UK Edinburgh Fundraising Group will host and attend charity events

Passionate volunteers are set to spread the word about dementia.

An Edinburgh fundraising group for Alzheimer’s Research UK has been launched.

The group’s seven founding members - who are all volunteers - already have plans for events and activities to boost the charity’s coffers.

It will also represent the charity at events, and spread the word about dementia and the importance of research within local communities.

One member of the group is Mhairi Hastie, who lives in Longniddry. She was inspired to raise money for dementia research as her late mother fought Alzheimer's disease and her father has vascular dementia.

“My mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2006,” Hastie said. “She went downhill dramatically, everything just shut down and she died in 2009.

"My dad was determined she wouldn't go in a care home and he cared for her around the clock. He had some health conditions that didn't come out at the time because he was concentrating on my mum. His heath started to go downhill in 2013 and he was also diagnosed with dementia.”

Kyle Lockhart, Alzheimer's Research UK's fundraising officer for Scotland, said: "The Alzheimer's Research UK Edinburgh Fundraising Group will play a vital role in helping us defeat dementia, both through raising funds and helping to spread awareness of this cruel condition.”

Information of events planned will be listed on the group’s Facebook page.