There are nearly 1 million people in the UK living with dementia today, and that number is forecast to rise as the population ages. In this blog, our Business Development Director Julian Venus discusses how dementia has affected his family, why we have chosen Alzheimer’s Research UK to raise funds for with our charity challenge – and how you can help.
A rollercoaster ride
The last two and half years have been a rollercoaster for our family and experiencing, and continuing to experience, firsthand the decline in cognitive abilities has on a person has been shocking. First memory, then reasoning and finally thinking…it’s a ruthlessly progressive condition and since my mother-in-law, Paula was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s it has been devastating for the whole family. Although the journey to the diagnosis was tortuous in itself. As a result I wanted to raise funds for an Alzheimer’s charity and Alzheimer’s Research UK were perfect.
About Alzheimer’s Research UK
Alzheimer’s Research UK are the UK’s leading dementia and Alzheimer’s disease research charity, specialising in finding preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia. This is the reason that attracted me to the charity; I like that they are out there at the cutting edge of research and development, and it really resonated with me that their primary focus is looking for a cure. If we are going to fix this then research into a cure is our only chance of changing the ending for people affected by dementia, so fundraising to help research projects for new development for dementia research is vital.
The Aquarian Cladding Charity Committee
The Aquarian Cladding name has always been synonymous with the community and raising money for charity, and we have raised thousands and thousands of pounds for both local and national charities over the years. We also understand the significance of creating supportive environments for mental health and well-being and our commitment to fostering inclusivity and understanding remains unwavering, including this year partnering with the Workplace Mental Health Charter and the esteemed Gold Membership status. In the past we have challenged the leadership of our employees annually with a charity initiative to help make a difference towards something that they care about. This year we have got a full charity committee, which is made up of myself, Jazz Rigden, Paul Richards, Emma Gilbert, Jake McVitty, Chris Gill and Jacob Wotton. I’m delighted to be taking up the mantle as charity champion for Aquarian this year.
Fundraising challenge
The fundraising challenge we are taking on for Alzheimer’s Research UK is the Jurassic Coast challenge. Eight of the team, including myself, Jazz Rigden, Paul Richards, Emma Gilbert, Chris Gill, Jacob Wotton and Jake McVitty will be taking part in the gruelling 25km walk, organised by Action Challenge, on Saturday, May 18. It will take us along the spectacular World Heritage coastline. A start in Corfe Castle, the route heads down to Swanage, and along through Lulworth Cove, past Durdle Door, with ups and downs to Weymouth halfway. All the team have started our training as we build up to May 18, and we will be posting our progress across social media.
How can you help?
Our target is to raise £2,000 and you can help us reach our goal by going to our JustGiving page and donating to this vital cause. Dementia is now a condition that affects millions of individuals, and their families, worldwide. If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia – either by developing it ourselves, caring for someone with it, or both.
For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK, or to find out more about fundraising for the charity, call 0300 111 5555 or https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org
Future charity initiatives
The Jurassic Coast ultra challenge is our first fundraising event of the year, and we will have two more later in the year for different charities. They are under wraps now, and more details will be announced soon.
Aquarian Cladding Systems are key distributors of MechSlip, NaturAL-X, and Gebrik and work with architects, contractors, developers and installation specialists across a wide range of sectors, from residential to commercial. For more information, telephone 0808 223 9080, email info@aquariancladding.co.uk or visit www.aquariancladding.co.uk.
Change the Ending – subtitled version | Alzheimer’s Research UK
Every 3 minutes dementia steals a happily ever after. Research is our only chance of making it a thing of the past. Alzheimer’s Research UK exists to find a cure. But we must act now to save our stories from the heartbreak of dementia sooner.