Alzheimer’s Society was able to raise a record-breaking £242,000 during its Insurance Day for Dementia event held on Nov. 28.
The Insurance Day for Dementia is organized by Alzheimer’s Society’s Insurance United Against Dementia (IUAD), an industry-led campaign that rallies the insurance sector to raise awareness and funds to help support individuals and families affected by the disease.
More than 64 companies participated in this year’s event, now its seventh year, with Z Zurich Foundation donating up to £100,000 and giving an additional £5 per person for those that took part in related activity.
Mark Heasman, head of engagement at Z Zurich Foundation, expressed happiness that the organisation’s donation helped encourage people to raise funds and participate in the cause.
The IUAD campaign is aiming to raise an initial £10 million, with funds raised from this year’s event to be given to the UK’s Dementia Research Institute to help fund critical dementia research.
“Every year so much work goes into making this day possible,” said Richard Dudley, chair of the IUAD campaign. “The public image of our industry is sometimes mixed, but this just showed what impact we can create when we all come together for a good cause.”
Aside from the donations, Alzheimer’s Society also received various contributions from the industry, with members participating in various related awareness and fundraising activities.
The event also featured a live “Lunch and Learn” webinar led by Richard Oakley, the associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimer’s Society. Joined by David Carey and Julie Godley, IUAD board members and industry leaders, Oakley shared his insights into the latest developments about the disease, which affects about a million people in the UK.
“One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime if we don’t act,” Oakley said. “Every pound raised this year has gone to fund vital dementia research to help us end the devastation caused by dementia.”
