Bobby Charlton's death 'highlights urgent need for dementia cure'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Sir Bobby Charlton’s death highlights the urgent need to find a cure for dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK has said. The Manchester United and England hero – a pillar of the Three Lions’ 1966 World Cup winning team – has died aged 86, his family announced on Saturday.Charlton was diagnosed with dementia and the announcement of his condition was made public in November 2020.

Almost a million people in the UK are living with dementia and it is the leading cause of death, the Alzheimer’s Research UK charity said.It said there are “no treatments available in the UK to slow, stop or prevent the diseases that cause dementia”, issuing a call for action after Charlton’s death.Alzheimer’s Research UK chief executive Hilary Evans said: “Our thoughts are with Sir Bobby Charlton’s family, and all those who loved him, following the tragic news that he has died with dementia.“Sir Bobby was a hero and so many of us have great memories from his impressive career on the pitch.

He will be greatly missed and we send his family our sympathies.“It’s absolutely devastating that Sir Bobby’s final years were blighted by dementia, but unfortunately this is the case for almost one million people in the UK today.“At Alzheimer’s Research UK, we are determined to change the ending for everyone affected by dementia by finding a cure, and the awful news about Sir Bobby highlights that we don’t have a moment to waste.”Tributes poured in after Charlton’s death, with David Beckham calling him a “national hero” and Gary Lineker saying he achieved “footballing immortality”.In March it was announced that Ms Evans would co-chair the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission, launched in August 2022 to develop innovative research tools and increase the number and