To mark World Alzheimer’s Month, I recently joined Alzheimer’s Research UK at an event in Parliament to show my support for dementia research. The aim of the event was to highlight the importance of the government’s manifesto promise to double funding for dementia research, known as the Dementia Moonshot.

In the UK nearly 1 million people are living with dementia, and it is one of the leading causes of death. We all know someone affected by dementia. It has a devastating impact on individuals and their loved ones.

It is vital that we increase investment in dementia research to help make the progress needed to end the fear, harm and heartbreak caused by dementia.

Not only does dementia cause harm and heartbreak to millions of families, but it is also placing huge strain on our health and social care system. The economic cost to the UK of caring for people with dementia is estimated to grow from £24bn in 2014 to £59bn by 2050.