Government urged to deliver on pledge

A HINCKLEY woman who has experienced the impact of dementia firsthand is calling on the government to deliver on its election promise to double funding for research into the condition.

Elaine Barrett, whose mum Jeannette died with Alzheimer’s disease in February last year, is one of over 43,000 people who have signed Alzheimer’s Research UK’s petition to government.

She is joined by Dame Julie Walters, who has become the latest star to support the petition, following on from Dame Judi Dench, Stephen Fry, Brian Cox, Dame Harriet Walter and Luke Evans.

This comes as Alzheimer’s Research UK reveals 94 per cent of dementia researchers are concerned progress is at risk due to fewer funding opportunities.

While new polling from the charity has highlighted that UK adults think the pledge made during the 2019 election is important, very few believe government will follow through on its word.

The UK’s leading dementia research charity has revealed that:

■ Over three quarters (77%) of the public believe the government’s pledge to increase its funding for dementia research to over £160 million a year is either still important (59%) or more important

(18%) since the coronavirus outbreak.

■ One in five people (18%) think it is even more important because of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has seen people with dementia among the hardest hit.

■ Despite this, only 7% of people believe the government will deliver on the promise made during the 2019 election.

■ Yet the charity says the funding is more critical than ever before, as a separate survey shows one in five researchers are considering leaving, or have already left, dementia research due to Covid-19 – while more than a third (34%) are considering leaving research altogether.

In response to the findings, Elaine and Dame Julie – whose grandmother died with vascular dementia – say the government cannot cast aside the promise it made to the public.

They are urging people to take action by signing Alzheimer’s Research UK’s petition. Elaine, who has raised thousands for Alzheimer’s Research UK with numerous fundraising activities including treks in Guatemala, the Jurassic Coast and Peak District, said: “When my mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s it was heartbreaking to learn that there are no treatments that can slow or stop the development of the disease.

“It was difficult for me and my sisters to see her deteriorate over the years that we cared for her.

“That is why I am determined to do everything I can to support dementia research to stop other families from having to experience the pain we did.

“I have signed Alzheimer’s Research UK’s petition calling on government to deliver on its election promise to double funding for dementia research, and would urge others to do the same.

“Following the devastating impact of Covid-19 on people with dementia, this increased investment from government is needed now more than ever.

“With extra funding and attention, we can bring about the lifechanging treatments people affected by dementia desperately need. Please stand with us and sign Alzheimer’s Research UK’s petition today.”

The dementia research funding pledged by government was missed out of the Budget Statement last month.

Dame Julie Walters said: “As someone who witnessed the effects of dementia growing up, I am proud to be standing with the tens of thousands of people who are calling on government to deliver on its election promise to double investment into researching the condition.

“Far too many families are being forced to experience the pain dementia causes on a daily basis because of the lack of treatments and, to put it simply, enough is enough.”

Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We’re so grateful to have the support of Dame Julie Walters and our supporters like Elaine standing with the thousands who have signed our petition calling on government to deliver on its election promise.

“This instrumental investment must be made a reality and it cannot come soon enough.”

You can sign the petition at alzres. uk/sign-our-petition

Following the impact of Covid-19 on people with dementia, this increased investment is needed now more than ever