Andy Ryan, whose grandmother died with dementia, is supporting the Forget Me Not appeal for the charity to raise money for dementia research.
“It was heart-breaking to witness my nan’s deterioration,” Andy said.
“I was born on her birthday, so we had a special bond and always celebrated together.
“She died just three years after her dementia diagnosis.”
It is “too easy to feel isolated”, the 45-year-old adds.
Andy, who was brought up in Dagenham and now lives in Romford with his wife Nickie and daughter Maisey, sees the Forget Me Not campaign as a symbol of the impact his grandmother’s dementia still has on him and his family.
There are 90,000 people in London with dementia and one million throughout Britain, Alzheimer’s Society points out.
The charity’s Corinne Mills said: “One-in-three people will develop dementia in their lifetime, something that affects us all.
“But our Forget Me Not flower symbolises hope in the community.”
Donations from tea parties can help fund the charity’s support services and research to end dementia.
A £20 donation could pay for two weeks of companion calls and £50 would help families get an adviser providing support.
