A Date With The Queen For Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador

Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador Meera Syal has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours list for services to drama by being created a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).

Meera, best known for her roles in Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at Number 42, has a family member living with dementia and has spoken out to raise awareness of dementia with a special emphasis on the Asian community.

In 2013, Meera became one of the country’s first Dementia Friends alongside her close friend and fellow Alzheimer’s Society ambassador Jo Brand.

George McNamara, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Alzheimer’s Society said:

‘I would like to send huge congratulations to Meera. As one of Britain’s first Dementia Friends, Meera has played a key role in transforming the way the nation acts, thinks and talks about dementia. Most recently by putting on her walking boots at this year’s Victoria Park Memory Walk Meera has helped raise much needed funds for people with dementia.

‘One person develops dementia every three minutes and so we need an all out fightback to defeat what is Britain’s biggest health and social care challenge. The support of people like Meera is a vital part of that and we owe her huge thanks.’