Dementia is now the leading cause of death in the UK. There are over 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, and this is set to rise to over one million by 2025. Almost all of us will know someone with dementia whether it is a family member or a friend, and although there is no cure, there is care.

Dementia UK is a national charity whose specialist dementia nurses provide life-changing care for families affected by all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's, Vascular, Young Onset and Lewy Body. Their nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, provide those affected with the quality of care that we would all want for ourselves and those that we love. But right now, they cannot reach everyone who needs their help.

Dementia UK currently has 300 Admiral Nurses who continually provide life-changing care for families affected by the disease. It also runs a ground-breaking national helpline staffed by specialist dementia nurses. These specialists have the time to listen and the knowledge to solve problems. However, we need hundreds more across the country and we need them fast. The Development Board's goal is to raise nearly £2m over the next three years. This is the start.

It costs Dementia UK £60,000 to place a new Admiral Nurse in an area of great need. This enables intensive, long-term support for hundreds of families a year, every year. An Admiral Nurse can be by a family's side from pre-diagnosis to bereavement and beyond. For families affected by dementia, they can be a lifeline. A donation of £10, £20, £100+ will join the efforts of others across the UK to fund the nurses on the Helpline. £1000 will fund six Admiral Nurses working on the Helpline for a whole day answering calls from dozens of families and supporting them through moments of crisis, and £10,000 will fund significant support costs ensuring the long term sustainability of projects in priority areas.

We know that together we can make a real impact on the lives of families facing dementia and would be enormously grateful for any support you felt able to offer. Any amount, large or small, is important and appreciated. We have a long way to go but we are determined to provide the thousands of people affected by this dreadful condition the care and support that they deserve.

With huge thanks from the entire Dementia UK Development Board: Mark Stroyan, Philippa Armitage, Angus McIntosh, Bill Roe, Debbie Smith & Rick Vassell