28 March 2018
Bank of Ireland is to donate its logo space on the Ulster Rugby team shirts to its charity partner, Alzheimer’s Society, for the penultimate home match of the season on Friday 13 April, with the aim of raising awareness and much needed funds for the charity.
This initiative will see Alzheimer’s Society availing of the Bank’s sponsorship elements at Ulster Rugby’s home ground, including their logo being emblazoned in prime position on the back of the Ulster Rugby jerseys, taking over the pitch side boards, and an outdoor, digital and social campaign. This gives the charity a fantastic profile in Northern Ireland’s premier rugby stadium, with a capacity of 18,000 people as well as via the televised match.
Ian Sheppard, Managing Director NI for Bank of Ireland UK commented, “We are delighted to give this fantastic opportunity to our charity partner, Alzheimer’s Society. The Bank staff have really taken this partnership to their hearts and we are delighted that our work is not just about raising funds but also awareness and taking action. To date, over 250 bank employees in Northern Ireland have signed up as Dementia Friends through a bespoke web-based training tool we developed in partnership with the charity meaning we are better equipped to help customers and people living in our local communities. There are so many lives in Northern Ireland affected by dementia and through this initiative; we hope to continue to help this fantastic organisation in whatever ways possible.”
The two-year charity partnership between the Bank of Ireland UK and the UK’s leading dementia charity, Alzheimer’s Society, has so far seen the Bank in Northern Ireland donate upwards of £50,000 of vital funding to help deliver vital services. This will directly fund its Side by Side service which helps people with dementia to get out and about with the support of a volunteer.
Richard Gilliland, Alzheimer’s Society Northern Ireland Partnerships Senior Executive, added, “We are so grateful to Bank of Ireland for uniting with us to take action against dementia in this unique way. We want everyone affected by dementia to know that whoever you are, whatever you are going through, you can turn to Alzheimer’s Society for support, help and advice. Bank of Ireland’s fundraising will go towards our Side by Side service, that matches people with dementia with like-minded volunteers to support them to keep doing the things they love.
“We know the Bank’s staff are passionate about dementia, and that has inspired them to look for innovative ways to raise awareness and support our work, and to reach people in a way that as a charity we could never afford on our own.”
Supporters will have the opportunity to donate and support the campaign to help fund Alzheimer’s Society programmes and research. Donations can be made via text message from now until June 2018 by texting MEMORY to 70660 to donate £3.
In addition, the Bank has committed to matching funds through the campaign to the value of £30,000.
Rory Best, Ireland Rugby captain and Ulster player, said, “Bank of Ireland has been a great sponsor to Ulster Rugby for over 20 years now and I’m delighted they have chosen to give this fantastic opportunity to such a well deserving charity. So many people in Northern Ireland are affected by this condition and it’s great to see Alzheimer’s Society increase its awareness in this way.”
The Sponsor for a Day campaign is part of a Bank of Ireland Group initiative that will also see sponsorship assets for Munster and Leinster rugby teams donated to the Irish Heart Foundation for upcoming games.
To find out more about the Bank’s charity partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, visit https://www.bankofirelanduk.com. To read more about the work of Alzheimer’s Society, visit https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ and for support or information, call the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122.
Bank of Ireland is to donate its logo space on the Ulster Rugby team shirts to its charity partner, Alzheimer’s Society, for the penultimate home match of the season on Friday 13 April, with the aim of raising awareness and much needed funds for the charity. Pictured at the Kingspan stadium in Belfast announcing the initiative is Ian Sheppard, Managing Director NI for Bank of Ireland UK with Margaret Lowry, who avails of Alzheimer’s Society services and Rory Best, Ireland Rugby captain and Ulster player.
For more information, please contact Smarts Communicate:
Rachel.sinton@smartscommunicate.com / 028 90395500
Hannah.irwin@smartscommunicate.com / 028 90395500
Notes to editors
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity. It provides information and support, funds research, campaigns to improve care and creates lasting change for people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. More than 850,000 people in the UK – including over 20,000 in Northern Ireland – are living with dementia, and dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK. It is the only one of the top 10 causes of death that we can’t cure, prevent or even slow down. Alzheimer’s Society funds research into the cause, care, cure and prevention of all types of dementia and has committed to spend at least £150 million on research over the next decade. This includes a £50 million investment in the UK’s first dedicated Dementia Research Institute. Alzheimer’s Society is committed to ensuring the right of people affected by dementia are recognised, and until the day a cure is found will be there to support anyone affected by dementia. Anyone wanting more information on dementia can call the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 11 22 or visit alzheimers.org.uk
Side by Side
Side by Side is a new Alzheimer’s Society service which helps people with dementia to keep doing the things they love, with the support of a volunteer. This extra support can make it easier for people with dementia, who might sometimes feel isolated or find it difficult to leave their homes, to do things we might take for granted and feel part of their local community. Whether it’s having a round of golf, going for a walk or a run, visiting museums, getting back to baking, having a game of chess, or just getting out to church or for a coffee, doing it Side by Side a trained volunteer makes it possible. After a successful pilot including three areas in Northern Ireland, Side by Side is rolling out across Northern Ireland, England and Wales.
Dementia Action Week
Dementia Action Week 2018 will take place 21-27 May 2018.
During Dementia Action Week, Alzheimer’s Society will be asking everyone across the UK to unite with us and take actions – large and small – that will make everyday life better for people affected by dementia. Whether this is taking the time to reach out to someone with dementia for a chat, or rallying your local community to clean up a park to make it more dementia-friendly – every action makes a difference. The focus of the Week is the everyday actions that people can take to make life better for people affected by dementia. If we want change to happen in every town, village and street across the three nations – it starts with action and this is everyone’s chance to make a difference.