Many of you will know that I have been involved in raising money and awareness for Alzheimer's Society as part of the Insurance United Against Dementia (IUAD) campaign since 2017. In recent years I have been privileged to Chair IUAD working with Alzheimer's Society.

There are currently around 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040. Dementia is the single biggest health and social care issue of our time - and it is chronically underfunded in every respect. In 2019, dementia cost economies globally 1.3 trillion US dollars, approximately 50% of these costs are attributable to care provided by informal carers (e.g. family members and close friends), who provide on average 5 hours of care and supervision per day.

Women are disproportionately affected by dementia, both directly and indirectly. Women experience a higher chance of developing dementia, and mortality due to dementia. They also provide (according to the WHO) 70% of care hours for people living with dementia. Alzheimer’s Society are working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives, and this is where the Insurance Industry can help!

Right now, anyone living with dementia is likely to face problems with obtaining an accurate diagnosis, accessing treatments that can help their symptoms, and getting care that addresses their needs. Research is the key to unlocking all these problems.

This financial year is the final one of the original campaign and we are within touching distance of meeting our original £10m fundraising target. June 2024 will mark this year’s cross-insurance adventure as part of the Insurance United Against Dementia campaign. I will be joining colleagues from across the industry trekking across the Pyrenees to help end the devastation caused by dementia.

The challenging trek in the Pyrenees follows the historic Freedom Trail's route—a path that served as an escape route for thousands during World War II. The trek is a tribute to the bravery of local people who risked their lives to help allied servicemen and Jewish refugees find safety.

As the team traverse remote trails and reach approximately 2450m on the col de Juclar, their personal challenge honours the courage of those who walked these paths in the face of danger.

Any support you are able to give, will enable Alzheimer’s Society to continue investing in dementia research and the research leaders of the future.

Together we can help end the devastation caused by dementia.

Thank you!