Stars reminisce about treasured memories in support of dementia charity appeal

Jo Brand, Suranne Jones, Sir Geoff Hurst and Arlene Phillips are among the faces who have shared a treasured memory in support of Alzheimer’s Society’s Forget Me Not Appeal.

The appeal calls on the public to donate and wear a Forget Me Not badge to show those affected by dementia that they are supported, understood and not forgotten about. It has raised more than £450,000 so far.

The forget-me-not is a small blue flower that represents remembrance, so the charity asked people to share a memory they would never want to forget.

Talking in a video, Suranne Jones who is an ambassador of the charity, said: “My heartwarming memory is of me and my mum sat on my bed in our old house, trying to learn lines. I was about 11 and there was a knock at the door in the script. My mum kept knocking at my bedroom door and she would come in as the other part. Every time she came in I would burst out laughing because she was rubbish and she couldn’t do it properly. We laughed and laughed and laughed and never learnt our lines!”

Suranne became an Alzheimer’s Society ambassador in 2020, as her late mother lived with dementia for eight years, sadly passing away in 2016.

Casting his mind back to England’s World Cup victory in 1966, Sir Geoff Hurst said: “Naturally, my treasured memory is related to the World Cup. I remember going to the ground in the coach and people had a large banner which read ‘Nobby Stiles for Prime Minister’. When we were in the tunnel on the way to the ground, it felt like the whole country was there waiting for us to play. It sent shivers down my spine.”

Sir Geoff continued by reminiscing fondly about the memories he holds of the 90,000 people that watched the highly anticipated match, along with the rest of the country who supported the team, and receiving the trophy when England claimed their victory.

He added: “People around the world, still to this day, remember exactly where they were on that wonderful day on the 30^th July 1966.”

Stand-up comedian and Alzheimer’s Society supporter, Jo Brand, shared a heartwarming family memory.

“The memory I’d least like to forget is when we were kids – me and my brothers – we were probably about 10 or 11 and our mum and dad always made us go for a walk on Sundays,” recalled Jo. “We hated it and one day we were walking on the cliffs above Hastings, it was very wet and we were slouching behind, sulking massively. My mum got really cross and started shouting at us and waving her finger and in so doing she slipped and slid on her bum about 100 yards down a hill and got very muddy. We laughed very very much indeed. Happy days!”

Dame Arlene Phillips, ambassador of Alzheimer’s Society, cared for her father when he developed Alzheimer’s disease and has spoken of the difficulties faced by the person with dementia and their carers. She said: “The memory I’d least like to forget is the faces of my children – watching them grow up from babies through to wonderful adults. The love I think they have for me and the love I have for them, I never want to forget.”

Memories were also shared by Alzheimer’s Society supporters including Eleanor, 7, who would never want to forget the day she met her little sister, and Dave, who is living with dementia, who spoke of the happiest day of his life marrying his wife June.

Kate Lee, CEO of Alzheimer’s Society, recalled a special memory where her mum, after a dementia diagnosis, kept bringing cups of tea to her dad, creating a pile-up.  

She said: “People with dementia may experience memory loss, among other symptoms, making the forget-me-not the perfect way to represent the condition.

“I loved going back and reminiscing about the special moments in my life as part of our Forget Me Not Appeal. I would be devastated if I lost those memories. Sadly, this is the harsh reality for many of the people living with dementia in Wales today.

“I would encourage everyone to show those affected by dementia that they are not alone by wearing a Forget Me Not pin badge and taking some time to share those treasured memories with loved ones over a cup of tea – or two!”

The appeal has also been supported by the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Hugh Dennis, Angela Rippon, Sally Lindsay and John Middleton.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and for most people, the first sign of Alzheimer’s is experiencing problems with their memory. This could include forgetting recent conversations and events, having difficulties with day-to-day tasks, getting lost or struggling to recognise faces.

But there are practical ways that you can support a person with dementia who is experiencing memory loss. These include giving prompts such as asking ‘Have you had breakfast today?’, creating a memory box with photos and information about people in their life or using assistive technology like electronic pill boxes to remind them to take medication.

If you or someone you know is experiencing memory problems that are causing difficulties in day-to-day life, talk to your GP or contact Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456.

Support people affected by dementia by wearing your Forget Me Not badge and help to fund life-changing dementia support by Alzheimer’s Society. People can make further steps towards supporting people affected by dementia by signing up to one of 25 Memory Walks across England, Wales and Northern Ireland this Autumn, including in Cardiff on 18 September 2022. To find out more, visit memorywalk.org.uk