News

Rangers defender Lee Wallace has announced Alzheimer Scotland as the Rangers Charity Foundation’s new National Charity Partner for season 2015/16.  The Foundation is pledging to raise £25,000 to support vital projects including the 24 Hour Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000), Dementia Friends and the unique Football Memories Project. 

The Foundation is not only supporting the influential Scottish charity financially, it also aims to encourage staff and supporters to become Dementia Friends. 

With over 90,000 people in Scotland living with dementia and the number set to double in a generation, it is the biggest public health challenge faced by society today. It is estimated that around 76% of Scots know someone who is affected by the disease which affects memory and can lead to changes in mood and personality. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and it is not a natural part of getting older.

Wallace commented: “Many Rangers supporters will have experienced dementia in their lives, whether they are living with the illness themselves or a family member or friend has dementia. The Rangers Charity Foundation wants to help make sure that no-one has to face the condition alone and is making this pledge to assist Alzheimer Scotland’s work across the country for those living with dementia.”

Rachel Smith, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Alzheimer Scotland, believes the new partnership will support the vital work already taking place to help transform lives.  She said: “Together with the Rangers Charity Foundation and its supporters, I am confident we can do great things for dementia awareness and support.  Football has a positive power beyond the 90 minutes of play and can inspire the lives of fans across decades.  Our new partnership aims to harness this positivity to challenge perceptions of dementia.  

“With an exciting programme of activity and fundraising events over the coming season, we hope fans will join our ‘Tackling Dementia with Alzheimer Scotland’ campaign and become Dementia Friends and help build a legacy of support and awareness for the future.  It’s an exciting time for Alzheimer Scotland and we are all looking forward to working with the committed and talented team at the Rangers Charity Foundation.”

Connal Cochrane, Manager of the Rangers Charity Foundation added: “Alzheimer Scotland is the country’s leading charity for dementia care and we are delighted to be working with them this season, assisting three projects that bring support, hope and understanding for people living with dementia in Scotland.   

“We believe that we can make a significant contribution to the work of this deserving charity not only with our financial pledge but also by encouraging a wider dialogue about the disease and inspiring staff at the Foundation and Club along with fans to become Dementia Friends.” 

Alzheimer Scotland’s Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000) is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is free to call. It provides information and emotional support to people with dementia, their carers, partners and families. The Helpline is a crucial life-line for many people coming to terms with a diagnosis, worried about a loved one or trying to cope as a carer.  

Alzheimer Scotland’s Football Memories Project in partnership with the Scottish Football Museum Trust has been hugely successful at improving the lives of football fans with dementia by using football images and memorabilia from 1945 to 1980 to aid recall and memory for participants. Feedback from group members and their carers has been fantastic and the project has really helped to boost the confidence and self-esteem of those taking part.  Rangers Football in the Community department will also be running a Football Memories Project network group at Ibrox this season which is being supported with funding from UEFA via the SFA.  

Alzheimer Scotland’s Dementia Friends campaign helps to create Dementia Friendly Communities by supporting members of the public to become more aware of dementia and learn about the small things everyone can do to help.  60% of people with dementia live in the community, so the Dementia Friends campaign can make a huge difference to people living with dementia.