Celesio UK, parent company of LloydsPharmacy and AAH, has celebrated the milestone of reaching 20,000 Dementia Friends across its business.

Announced at a special afternoon tea, attended by Celesio and Alzheimer’s Society CEOs, Toby Anderson and Jeremy Hughes CBE (pictured), the company recognised colleagues who have made a difference to people affected by dementia.

Toby Anderson, Celesio UK CEO, said: “I’m proud to say that so many of my colleagues are Dementia Friends – it’s an integral part of their training. It’s important for us, as a healthcare organisation, to have an understanding of such a debilitating disease that affects 850,000 people in the UK... Whether it’s dispensing medication, delivering it to patients, conducting a medicines use review or providing support to a carer, our teams believe in inspiring more positive lives – they wear the forget-me-not logo to show their commitment.”

Since the partnership with Alzheimer’s Society began in 2015, employees have raised £500,000 through events, challenges, cake sales and fancy dress activities. Current Celesio-funded research includes: work into language changes in those living with dementia which could make diagnosis easier; and a project investigating how to help people with dementia better manage diabetes.

Celesio CEO Toby Anderson and Alzheimer's Society CEO Jeremy Hughes CBE