PEOPLE across the East of England are being encouraged to host an Alzheimer’s Society Forget Me Not Tea Party this summer to raise money for vital dementia support and research.  

Great British Bake Off star Andy Ryan is supporting the campaign which follows Alzheimer’s Society’s Forget Me Not Appeal which ran throughout June and saw thousands of people across the country wearing a Forget Me Not badge to show their support and solidarity with people with dementia. 

There are currently around one million people in the UK with dementia, and more than 100,000 across the East of England. Many feel isolated, and Alzheimer’s Society provides vital support to them and their families as well as funding vital research into diagnosis and treatments. 

For Andy Ryan, the Forget Me Not symbolises the lasting impact his nan’s dementia has had on him and his family. 

He said: “My Nan was the absolute best of the best. I was born on her birthday, so we had a special bond and always celebrated together. She was always making me and everyone around her laugh. I’ve never met a more hard-working, honest, loving, selfless person.  

“It was heartbreaking to witness her deterioration [with dementia]. She would call our house over 30 times a day, often forgetting she had already called and asking the same questions. She died three years after her dementia diagnosis, which completely broke all of our hearts. We all idolised her and losing her was one of the hardest experiences we had to endure. 

“It’s easy to feel isolated, yet it’s crucial for families to know they’re not alone. The Alzheimer’s Society Forget Me Not Tea Parties are a great way to come together and support each other while helping to increase funding for vital research and support. No one should have to navigate this alone.” 

Donations from Alzheimer’s Society Forget Me Not Tea Parties will help fund the charity’s crucial support services and groundbreaking dementia research. In 2023/24, the charity’s Dementia Support Line answered nearly 60,000 calls from those in need. 

A donation of £10 could help fund research to end the devastation caused by dementia, £20 could pay for two weeks of essential Companion Calls for someone affected by dementia, while £50 could help families access a Dementia Adviser providing essential support. 

Corinne Mills, interim CEO at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime so it’s something that affects us all. The Forget Me Not flower symbolises solidarity and hope within the dementia community.” 

Sign up to receive a free Forget Me Not Tea Party fundraising pack at alzheimers.org.uk/tea-party