Nottinghamshire Volunteers Needed To Help Power Fightback Against Dementia
Alzheimer’s Research UK is seeking fundraisers and volunteers across Nottinghamshire to support its important work in the region.
The charity is looking for people to lend their time and talents to help raise vital funds and awareness about dementia. This could mean organising fundraising activities, volunteering at events or spreading the word about dementia research in the community. Local businesses are also welcome to get involved.
The charity is also looking for people with a range of skills to help start a new regional fundraising group in the area. A minimum of three core members are required to fulfil the roles of group lead, administrator and treasurer.
Funds raised by supporters will help to power dementia research studies across the country, such as Prof Kevin Morgan’s project at the University of Nottingham. Prof Morgan runs the Alzheimer’s Research UK DNA Bank, based at the university, which is a resource containing more than 10,000 DNA samples that dementia scientists can draw upon for their research.
The bank has already been instrumental in uncovering 21 of the 22 known risk genes for Alzheimer’s, a disease which is thought to be caused by a mixture of genetic and lifestyle factors, alongside age.
Alzheimer’s Research UK’s funding is allowing Prof Morgan to add new DNA samples to the bank from people who have donated their brains to dementia research. Boosting the size of the DNA Bank will help researchers to learn even more about the biology underlying diseases like Alzheimer’s and to find targets for potential new treatments.
Prof Kevin Morgan
Prof Morgan said:
“I am so proud of the work I do at the Alzheimer’s Research UK DNA Bank. Thanks to the charity, we have been able to put together this incredible resource, which is helping researchers across the country get closer to treatments and preventative measures for dementia. We can only continue this work with funding and I’m so grateful to everyone who makes this possible.”
Alzheimer’s Research UK volunteers play a crucial part in the fight against dementia, which currently affects over 10,000 people in Nottinghamshire alone.
Alzheimer’s Research UK Regional Fundraising Officer, Clare Robinson, is on-hand to provide advice, materials and assistance to volunteers when needed. She said:
“Community fundraisers and volunteers play a hugely important role in the fight against dementia, both through raising funds and helping to spread awareness of this cruel condition.
“I hope that people across Nottinghamshire will get behind the cause and help us to continue our pioneering research. When there are around 47 million people living with dementia across the world, it’s important we do everything we can to beat it.”
Anyone wishing to get involved can contact Clare Robinson on 07500 602675 or c.robinson@alzheimersresearchuk.org.
