• Swindon & Wiltshire Community champions
• Friday January 19 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Bristol dementia research charity kicks off 2024 with funding boost from Barratt David Wilson Homes

A small Bristol charity has kicked off 2024 with a funding boost from housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes South West.

BRACE Dementia Research has received a £1,500 donation from the developer to help the charity deliver vital dementia research projects.

BRACE currently supports 40 clinical and laboratory dementia research projects, exploring areas such as the impact of sleep on dementia, a first-of-its-kind early dementia test and a study to see if eye movement changes can be used to diagnose Alzheimer’s.

The charity also provides significant support to the South West Dementia Brain Bank, the largest of its kind in the UK, and funds a Dementia Research Nurse based at Southmead Hospital.

Chris Williams, CEO at BRACE Dementia Research, said: “One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime, either through developing the condition, caring for someone with dementia, or both.

“Despite this, there are very few charities which specialise in funding dementia research. Now, with the cost-of-living crisis, many people are having to rethink their charitable giving and have cancelled or reduced their charitable donations. This is why donations such as these are more vital than ever.

“Dementia researchers rely on vital support from charities like BRACE and they appreciate all donations that enable them to continue their crucial work.

“The charity’s research is funded solely by fundraising and voluntary donations and depends on the generosity of supporters like Barratt David Wilson Homes South West. Without such contributions, many research projects, including the South West Dementia Brain Bank, wouldn’t be possible.

“The funding from Barratt David Wilson Homes South West will much-needed support to research into achieving earlier diagnosis of dementia, find better and more effective treatments to improve the lives of those living with dementia, and we hope, one day, a cure.”

Louise Ware, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, added: “We recognise how important the support of local companies is to charities like BRACE. It’s uplifting to know our funding will accelerate efforts to fund groundbreaking research projects that will ultimately benefit our communities.”