Richard Walker appointed Ambassador for Alzheimer’s Research UK

Iceland Foods Managing Director, Richard Walker, has become the latest Ambassador for Alzheimer’s Research UK after witnessing first-hand the impact of dementia on his family.

Richard’s mother, Lady Walker, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2011 and she sadly died in 2021. Since her diagnosis, Richard and his father, Sir Malcolm Walker, have publicly campaigned for more support into groundbreaking research so other families don’t have to experience what they did.

After over ten years of support to the UK’s leading dementia research charity, Richard said he was “honoured” to accept the role as Ambassador.

As an Ambassador, Richard will continue to help raise much-needed funds and awareness for dementia, while encouraging others to support the search for life-changing treatments.

Last year, Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation celebrated raising £5 million for Alzheimer’s Research UK since they first partnered in 2012. This was from a wide range of activities including in-store Charity Weeks and the doubling of the first £500,000 of donations to 70-year-old Frank Rothwell’s Atlantic Challenge.

During World Alzheimer’s Month in September, Richard will join over 30,000 of his colleagues by taking part in Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Think Brain Health e-Learning. The training module covers dementia basics and the simple lifestyle factors that could improve brain health, potentially reducing the risk of developing the condition later in life.

Sadly, there are now almost one million people living with dementia in the UK, yet there are no treatments available that slow or stop the diseases that cause it. Alzheimer’s Research UK mission is to bring about life-changing treatments for dementia.

Richard Walker, Managing Director of Iceland Foods, said of his appointment:

“It’s an honour to accept the position of Alzheimer’s Research UK Ambassador. My Mum, Lady Walker, helped to set up Iceland Foods over 50 years ago with my father and she would be incredibly proud to see all the good the business does, and so it is a privilege to do this in memory of her. So many people I meet have witnessed the devastation of dementia so we must support life-changing research if we want to stop this disease affecting others. I want to give hope to those families today, and to future generations to come.”

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

“Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation has spent over a decade supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK, and after their incredible £5 million raised milestone, we’re thrilled by Richard’s commitment to support dementia research in this way. Richard’s dedicated efforts to help us find a dementia breakthrough reflect the backing of his colleagues at Iceland Foods. We look forward to seeing how his continued support take us closer to finding life-changing treatments.”

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