LEGEND BANKS IN CALL TO TACKLE DEMENTIA
ENGLAND legend Gordon Banks has made an appeal for the nation to step up and help defeat dementia.
The 1966 World Cup winner opened his heart about his personal experience of dementia as he urged the public to support Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk – the charity’s flagship fundraising campaign.
Memory Walk began a couple of weeks ago and will run until mid-October, with 100,000 people expected to take part in 40 walks nationwide to raise money which will enable Alzheimer’s Society to provide vital information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by the condition.
Banks, who is an Alzheimer’s Society ambassador, has a special interest in the charity’s research initiatives, having lost his brother to dementia and having seen fellow Three Lions heroes hit by the condition. He says he is more determined than ever to support the charity.
“The fight against dementia is a cause that is very close to my heart,” said Banks.
“I feel more passionate about it than ever because I lost my brother to Alzheimer’s disease and some of my old England team-mates have been affected by dementia.
“I know it can be a really horrible, cruel disease. So I want to get stuck in to raise funds to help our scientists find a cure.”
The 80-year-old took part in the Alzheimer’s Society Stoke Memory Walk last Sunday - one of the dozens of walks nationwide this autumn, which the charity hopes will generate £9 million.
“I do weekly walks with a bunch of former Stoke players, with the old boys’ association and I just hope people nationwide can back the Memory Walk campaign,” he said.
For more information, check out memorywalk. org.uk