April 26, 2011 2.45 pm This story is over 154 months old

Tesco and dementia charity request help

Help wanted: Volunteers are needed for a big fundraising event in Lincoln Tesco stores.

Two Tesco stores in Lincoln and the Alzheimer’s Society are asking for local people to step forward to help them raise a large sum of money in two days.

Tesco Wragby Road and Canwick Road will be hosting the Alzheimer’s Society BIG Collection next month, where the charity aims to raise £350,000.

The charity needs 12 volunteers plus a team leader per day across 12 Tesco stores in the county to help raise the sum in just two days.

In Lincolnshire, there are currently 10,500 people living with dementia, and the number is rising.

Tesco made the Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Scotland its Charity of the Year 2011, hence why it is supporting the project.

A number of celebrities have also appeared in a video backing the campaign, such as Shaun Williamson, Bernie Nolan, and John Altman.

Alzheimer’s Society supporter Robbie Savage said: “This year 100,000 more people will develop dementia.

“Having played in the biggest league in the world, I’ve faced a lot of challenges on the pitch, but watching my father and my hero diagnosed with dementia has been the biggest challenge of my life.

“I know how devastating it can be on the person with the condition as well as their loved ones – and how important it is to know that support is out there when you need it.”

Alzheimer’s Society’s Chief Executive Jeremy Hughes said: “Every little helps and donating just three hours of your spare time during the bank holiday weekend will make a huge difference to people living with dementia.

“It’s an enormous challenge to raise £350,000 in just two days – but we know we can do it with your help.

“I’ll be encouraging Tesco customers to give generously at my local Tesco store during the BIG collection and I hope you will be too.”

The money raised will help fund new research, send dementia support professionals to more sufferers and raise awareness of the condition, encouraging people to see their GP.

If you are interested in helping for a few hours in one of the Lincoln stores on May 27 or 28, visit the Alzheimer’s website.

Source: Alzheimer’s Society