NewsCadbury, LFC and lifelong Red unite to raise awareness of dementia research

Stark words capturing a stark reality.

Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK, and if nothing changes, one in two of us will be affected during our lifetime, either by developing the syndrome ourselves or caring for someone who has it.

Currently, there is no cure.

Official Liverpool FC partner Cadbury is proudly supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK’s mission of bringing us closer to a much-needed cure for dementia, via awareness campaigns and funding.

Cadbury is also providing all Anfield-based club staff with training from Alzheimer’s Research UK with the aim of making the Reds’ home a more dementia-friendly venue.

Almost one million people in the UK are living with dementia, with more than 60,000 of those based in the north west.

Those figures include local LFC fan Ste, who was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2020 and whose powerful message began this article.

“I have trouble now, as you can hear, getting my point across. It’s so frustrating for me,” says the father of three, a passionate, lifelong Reds supporter.

“I went to the hospital with a completely different thing. I had a scan. Four months later, I was diagnosed. It was a big shock.

“It’s important to be able to talk about it and let other people know they’re not on their own.”

Ste, a former carer himself, shared his story during a special recent visit to Anfield arranged by Cadbury, where he and daughter Faye were joined by LFC legends John Aldridge and Phil Thompson.

They reminisced fondly about memorable moments experienced inside the stadium and while following the Reds, and their respective strong connections forged with the club.

Released in full today and available to watch above, the video of their conversation is part of that campaign to raise awareness of the need to cure dementia and how only research will be able to find a solution.

Additionally, one in three people with dementia in England never receive a formal diagnosis, leaving them without access to the care and support they need, as well as any new treatments as they emerge.

“We know some players close to our heart who have passed away and had the same symptoms,” says Aldridge, chair of Forever Reds, the club’s official former players association.

“And some players now have the same symptoms as you, who are very well known. There’s going to be a cure down the line somewhere - we don’t know when.”

Thompson adds: “It touches everybody’s family. It has become more relevant in our lives. So, I think it’s vital.”

Many different physical causes can lead to a case of dementia, which is, as stated by the NHS, “associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning” and can come in several forms.

It adds: “Dementia is not only about memory loss. It can also affect the way you speak, think, feel and behave.”

Symptoms can be mild and not easy to spot. If you or a loved one are in need of support, vital information is available here.