Football managers across the men’s and women’s game, including Hatters manager Rob Edwards, are uniting behind a new campaign to raise awareness of dementia to mark World Alzheimer’s Month.
Alzheimer’s Society is working with the League Managers Association to encourage its members to wear the charity’s forget-me-not pin badge at games during September, which the boss proudly wore at Millwall last weekend. The Football Association, Premier League, Barclays Women’s Super League, English Football League and Barclays Women’s Championship are all backing the campaign.
The organisations are working together to raise awareness of dementia, the scale of the problem and the importance of diagnosis. By bringing attention to the problem, managers hope to help make sure every football fan learns the signs and symptoms of dementia, so they know what to look out for and where to go for help.
The initiative kicked off at England’s UEFA Nations League games against Ireland and Finland on 7 September and 10 September respectively, in which interim head coach Lee Carsley and his coaching staff wore the distinctive blue badge. Alzheimer’s Society is the official charity partner of The FA and recently announced the partnership has been extended for a fourth year.
Managers and coaching staff across the men’s and women’s club game have followed suit and have donned the badges during fixtures following the international break.
Dementia is the biggest health and social care issue of our time and the UK’s biggest killer, yet still isn’t the priority it needs to be. At least one in three people living with dementia don’t have a diagnosis – over 250,000 people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A diagnosis is vital to give people access to the care, treatment and support they desperately need.
LMA CEO, Richard Bevan OBE, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be working alongside Alzheimer’s Society and some of the game’s biggest organisations to raise awareness of dementia. We know it is an issue that impacts a number of our members, as well as so many football fans across the country. Bringing the sport together in this way is hugely powerful, and we hope it can get fans talking so we are all better equipped to spot the signs and symptoms of dementia.”
The forget-me-not is a small blue flower that represents remembrance and is long-associated with dementia. People with the condition may experience memory loss, among other symptoms. If anyone would like to purchase a forget-me-not pin badge in support of the charity, they can do so by visiting the Alzheimer’s Society online shop. 100 per cent of profits go towards helping fight dementia.
During World Alzheimer’s Month, Alzheimer’s Society is not only bringing football together, but also working across a number of other sports including cricket, rugby and golf. The charity works across multiple sports through Sport United Against Dementia (SUAD), a board of leading figures in the industry that works together to raise funds and awareness of dementia.
Sport should be unforgettable. Learn the signs and symptoms of dementia at alzheimers.org.uk/sports.
Luton Town Community Trust will be on the Kenilworth apron at our game against Sheffield Wednesday, handing out leaflets and providing information and support services for people dealing or living with dementia.
