Rotarians dementia group launches partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK

A group set up by Rotarians to help people with dementia has partnered with Alzheimer’s Research UK to help raise vital funds for dementia research.

Rotarians Easing the Problems of Dementia (REPOD) was set up 10 years ago to help people with dementia through initiatives such as Memory Cafés and Dementia Friendly communities.

However, the group wanted to do something that would help raise funds for dementia research. They decided to work with Alzheimer’s Research UK on a “red box” scheme, where red coin boxes were distributed to Rotary Clubs across Britain and Ireland for Rotarians to drop spare change in.

The initiative has already raised £1,500 from both Rotary and Inner Wheel for the dementia research charity, which will help to power world-class research projects into new treatments for dementia.

There are currently no treatments that can slow or prevent the development of the condition, which recently became the leading cause of death in the UK. Alzheimer’s Research UK’s mission is to bring about the first life-changing treatment for dementia by 2025, a feat that would not be possible without generous donations from Rotarians through the red box scheme.

REPOD has now partnered with Alzheimer’s Research UK and the group is hoping to continue its fundraising for research through both the red box scheme and other initiatives.

Geri Parlby, Chairperson of REPOD, said:

“For the past 10 years we have been working with Rotarians promoting hands-on projects such as Memory Cafés and Dementia Friendly Communities.

“Recently more and more of our colleagues have started to ask why Rotary wasn’t doing more to support dementia research and ultimately find a cure. As Alzheimer’s Research UK is the key charity in the UK working in this field we decided to see if we could encourage clubs to donate to their work via the red box campaign.

“Dementia is a devastating condition and one that has affected many of our own members and their partners and families. Supporting research into finding new treatments that could help to slow or prevent dementia has never been more important.”

Leah Watkins, Regional Fundraising Manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK said:

“We would like to thank Geri and Rotarians across the country for helping to fund research into dementia.

“Rotarians Easing the Problems of Dementia has taken an innovative approach towards helping us in our mission to defeat dementia through their red box scheme. We are excited to keep working with REPOD in the future and to see what exciting projects can emerge from this partnership.

“Our vision is a world that is free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia. This would not be possible without the fundraising efforts of dedicated volunteers across the country.”

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