This World Alzheimer’s Day, (21 September), will see Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) and Alzheimer’s Society join forces to raise awareness of dementia during the One Day International against Australia at Headingly Cricket Ground.
Supported by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the cricket world is unifying behind the UK’s leading dementia charity to help shine a light on dementia, encourage cricket fans with concerns to seek support and raise vital funds for dementia research and support services.
Taking place within World Alzheimer’s Month, the partnership will help to drive home the truth that great sport should be unforgettable, but sadly for around one million people living with dementia in the UK, the disease will strip them of their precious memories altogether.
A panoramic general view (GV) of England playing Australia at Headingley in the Ashes. This World Alzheimer’s Day, (21 September, 2024), will see YCCC and Alzheimer’s Society join forces to raise awareness of dementia during the One Day International against Australia at Headingly Cricket Ground.
Alzheimer’s Society Chief Executive, Kate Lee, said: “One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime, and millions more will forever have their lives impacted by this devastating condition.
“Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer and yet the realities of the condition are often hidden behind closed doors, with many struggling without the support they desperately need.
“We’re proud to be working with Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the England and Wales Cricket Board during World Alzheimer’s Month to raise vital awareness of dementia amongst the cricketing community.
“Please, if you can, donate. Money raised from this match will help Alzheimer’s Society to fund groundbreaking research and our lifechanging dementia support for everyone affected by dementia.”
Sanjay Patel, interim Chief Executive Officer for YCCC, said: “Dementia affects millions of people across our country, many of whom still do not recognise early signs of the condition, how to get support or the options available to them.
“Yorkshire County Cricket Club is delighted to be working with Alzheimer’s Society to raise awareness during the One Day International against Australia at Headingly Cricket Ground.
“By shining a light on dementia, on an international stage, we believe we can have a meaningful impact by raising greater awareness of the condition and its symptoms.”
Pictured, Sanjay Patel.
England and Northern Superchargers Cricketer, Alice Davidson-Richards, who is Alzheimer’s Society’s newest Sport Champion, and whose father lived with mixed dementia and died in November 2023, said: “My dad was my biggest inspiration and the reason I fell in love with cricket. He grew up in Leeds, so to be able to see his daughter play at Headingly made him a very proud and happy human.
“But his diagnosis devastated our family. Dad became increasingly disorientated and angry at the world. His mobility became severely affected and eventually he needed a wheelchair.
“As his condition progressed, our roles reversed and I supported him – holding him when he was scared or anxious or confused. But it showed me what it means to be human: being there for someone you love, helping them with whatever they need, when they need it most. However, this year marks the first without my dad.
“I love my dad and I miss him every day. He is the reason I am proud to be an Alzheimer’s Society Sport Champion and supporting them during this year’s ODI against Australia. It is crucial we continue to raise much needed awareness of this devastating condition and help stump it out of the game once and for all”.
Pictured, Alice Davidson-Richards of Northern Superchargers bats during The Hundred match between Northern Superchargers Women and London Spirit Women at Headingley in August this year.
Chair of the ECB, and Alzheimer’s Society’s Sport United Against Dementia Board, Richard Thompson, whose father lived with Alzheimer’s disease, said: “Sport shaped my dad’s life, as it has mine, but dementia turned our world upside down. It started subtly: keys missing, names forgotten; but it worsened over time.
“Dad’s condition continued to deteriorate, to the point where he could no longer recognise family or friends. My dad was a strong-willed and independent man all his life. Seeing dementia strip away the man I knew hurt me deeply, but without the support from Alzheimer’s Society, the journey my family went on would have been significantly harder, and for that I am forever grateful.
“Great sport should be unforgettable, and I’m delighted to be supporting Alzheimer’s Society in their mission to bring dementia out into the open and help cricket fans get the dedicated, specialist support they desperately need”.
There are currently around one million people living with dementia in the UK, enough to fill Headingly Cricket Ground almost 55 times over.
During World Alzheimer’s Month, Alzheimer’s Society has brought together leading sporting organisations, clubs, individuals, and governing bodies including the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Football Association, Premier League, and DP World Tour to make a meaningful and long-lasting difference to people affected by dementia, now and for generations to come.
To donate or find out more about Alzheimer’s Society’s work uniting the world of sport, visit alzheimers.org.uk/sport
