Alzheimer’s Sufferer to Row 22 Miles for Dementia Research

Jamie Graham, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2007, has gathered a crew of veteran oarsmen to row 22 miles from Eton to Henley on Friday 2 July, to raise £50,000 for the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, with an additional donation to Swindon dementia support group, the Forget-me-not Centre.

Before the diagnosis, 62 year old Jamie, from Dauntsey, in Wiltshire, had a high-powered job in information technology and was looking forward to an active retirement. Since then he has had to give up driving and lost the ability to use a computer, read or write. Despite all this, his sense of humour remains intact and he still rides his bike, enjoys going for long walks and playing tennis.
Jamie explained the motivation behind this challenge and supporting the Alzheimer’s Research Trust:
“I’ve been a keen oarsman since my school days and, thankfully, it’s an activity I can still take part in and use positively to raise much needed money for dementia research. Since my diagnosis I’ve been saddened to find that investment into this dreadful disease has been woefully neglected and I want to help the Alzheimer’s Research Trust in its efforts to fund more research projects.

“My local support group, the Swindon Forget-me-not Centre, has inspired me to keep active and my family and friends have been wonderfully encouraging, putting all the plans for this venture in place and showing enduring patience.”
Miranda Mays, Community Fundraising Manager for the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said:

“This is an amazing effort and we can’t thank Jamie enough for his determination to help us beat dementia. The money raised will make a real difference, bringing us ever nearer to finding new preventions, treatments and an eventual cure through the world-class research we fund.

“We are currently funding 120 promising projects across the country, including over £700,000 at universities in South West England. Over 5,500 people in Wiltshire live with the daily reality of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and funding for research is desperately needed. The Alzheimer’s Research Trust relies entirely on its wonderful supporters like Jamie and we wish him every success.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor Jamie and raise money for the Alzheimer’s Research Trust can do so online at www.forgetmenotrow.com  or telephone Sharon Manison at the charity on 01223 843899. Donations to the Forget-me-not Centre can be made by contacting Vicki Graham on 0771 361 5287.