- Fundraiser Ben is a cut above the rest
- Cadent fund-raisers take another step towards £100,000 fundraising target for Alzheimer’s Society
- Work colleagues rally round with £1,125 in donations
Hinckley-based Cadent employee Ben Pearson put on a hair-raising show to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.
And generous work colleagues ensured his 30 minutes of "hair today, gone tomorrow" raised £1,125 for the Society’s work supporting people with dementia and their carers.
In a ‘bald’ move Ben, who’s just turned 40, grew his hair and beard extra-long – and then had it all chopped off.
But the new look surprised his sons who didn’t recognise him when he went to pick them up from school.
Ben said: “The boys, and my partner Cherie, weren’t too keen on the new me. But, that’s a small price to pay knowing I’ve helped a charity that does so much good work – and my hair and beard will grow again.
“These days it seems most families are affected by a loved one with dementia or cancer. I know my life has been deeply touched by both. Now, I’m proud to have done something to help others.”
Ben was aged 18 when his grandma died. She had mild dementia. Three years earlier he’d lost his Auntie to cancer – and his own dad has survived a scare.
Lucy Polling, from Alzheimer’s Society, added: “It’s heart-warming to know that so many Cadent staff are fundraising for us. We really appreciate Ben’s personal sacrifice to make such a fantastic amount.
“Alzheimer’s Society is here for anyone – young and old – affected by dementia and we’re so grateful that employees, like Ben, have united with us to ensure no-one has to face a diagnosis alone.”
In June Cadent announced a two-year fundraising partnership with Alzheimer’s Society. The company has pledged to raise £100,000 for the charity and to make at least 1,000 employees ‘Dementia Friends’.
‘Dementia Friends’ information sessions help people better understand the challenges faced by those living with dementia and the small ways in which they can help.
Alzheimer’s Society provides information and support, funds research and creates lasting change for people affected by dementia. For more information about Alzheimer’s Society go to
alzheimers.org.uk
10 facts about dementia
- 850,000 people with dementia in the UK – set to rise to one million by 2021.
- Dementia is the leading cause of death in England and Wales.
- One person develops dementia every three minutes.
- Dementia is not a natural part of ageing – more than 40,000 people under the age of 65 are living with the condition.
- Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain – diseases such as Alzheimer’s cause nerve cells to die, damaging the structure and chemistry of the brain.
- It’s not just about memory loss. Although dementia often starts by affecting short-term memory, it can also affect the way people think, speak, perceive things, feel and behave.
- People can still live well with dementia. Scientists and researchers are working to find a cure, but until then support and treatments are available that can help with dementia symptoms and managing daily lives.
- £40 pays for five people with dementia to attend an Alzheimer’s Society ‘Singing for the Brain’ session
- £150 pays for an Alzheimer’s Society National Dementia Helpline Advisor to provide 10 hours of crucial support to people affected by dementia
- £610 would pay for a Doctoral Training Centre to run for one day helping up to eight PhD researchers carry out ground-breaking studies in dementia research
ENDS
Hair today… Cadent's Ben Pearson a whisker away from charity chop.
Gone tomorrow…Cadent's Ben Pearson's close shave raises £1,250.