The FA and Alzheimer’s Society reach £1 million partnership milestone

The Society and the FA have announced that their partnership has raised £1 million in funding for dementia services.

Alzheimer’s Society CEO Kate Lee said: “What an achievement for our partnership with The FA! The power of the partnership is clear, allowing us to reach huge audiences that we otherwise might not reach and to see that work reflected by hitting the £1 million mark is fantastic.”

The partnership between The FA and Alzheimer’s Society was extended in July, taking it into a fourth season.

Working together with the FA to raise dementia awareness

In the last year of the partnership, Alzheimer’s Society and The FA have been working to raise awareness of dementia and the importance of diagnosis. 

One in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime, but too many still think it is just a sign of normal ageing, are unsure of symptoms and are too afraid to visit their GP. A timely diagnosis can allow families more time to plan for the future and unlock the door to treatment, care and support.

FA Chief Executive, Mark Bullingham, said: "We are very proud of our partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, and reaching the £1 million milestone is an incredible achievement. 

Together, we have created greater awareness of this important cause, as well as raising vital funds to support Alzheimer’s Society’s ongoing research into the cause and prevention of dementia.
 

Over the last three years, the £1 million raised through the partnership has gone towards crucial Alzheimer's Society support services and research that will help transform the future of dementia diagnosis, changing the game for fans and players in years to come.

Some examples of what that total raised by the partnership could fund include:

•  Almost 76,000 minutes of personalised support from Alzheimer's Society’s Dementia Support Line
• A year’s worth of services provided by 33 Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Advisers, who listen to the needs of people affected by dementia and offer tailored information and guidance
• Alzheimer’s Society’s entire Singing for the Brain programme, which brings people affected by dementia together to sing the songs they know and love in a fun and friendly environment.

Football and fundraising for dementia

This season will continue to build on the success of the partnership’s ongoing work, with a second Alzheimer’s International with the England women’s team and a reprise of the Support The Supporters campaign in the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup, which initially brought together clubs and organisations across the football pyramid in January 2024 to raise awareness of dementia symptoms. 

FA staff will once again be taking on fundraising challenges for the charity, whilst exciting new plans are in development to use football as a means of providing local support and encouraging fans to engage with vital dementia research.

Lee added: “Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, so there is still work to do, which is why we’re so pleased to be entering a fourth year partnered with The FA to create a future where football is unforgettable.”

If you see the signs of dementia in a loved one, show them your support by visiting alzheimers.org.uk/sports to use Alzheimer’s Society’s symptoms checklist, get further information and donate to help fund research into early diagnosis.