EastEnders star fronts Dementia UK's annual fundraiser

EastEnders actress and Dementia UK celebrity supporter Emma Barton will be fronting Dementia UK’s Time for a Cuppa week this year, helping to raise “vital funds” to provide more admiral nurses for families affected by dementia.

From 1 – 8 May, Dementia UK will be launching Time for a Cuppa where friends, family and colleagues get together and enjoy a slice of cake and a cup of tea and raise funds for families who require specialist dementia support admiral nurses.

Ms Barton who is known to fans as playing the character Honey Mitchell in the soap became a celebrity supporter for Dementia UK last year after her uncle was diagnosed with vascular dementia.

Ms Barton said: “I’m delighted to be supporting Time for a Cuppa this year and helping to raise vital funds to provide more admiral nurses for families affected by dementia.

“Having lost my great uncle and a much loved friend and work colleague to dementia, I‘ve seen first-hand how the condition affects not only the person but also their family and loved ones.”

In the past 12 years the event has raised over £1,188,000.

Just before the pandemic, Ms Barton took part in the charity’s Time for a Cuppa campaign recreating famous ‘celebri-tea’ movie moments where she appeared as the iconic Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a role she has always wanted to play.

'Admiral nurses are a lifeline in a care system which doesn’t work for families with dementia'

Dementia is a huge and growing health crisis – by 2025, over one million people will be living with the condition, and almost all of us will know someone affected, whether it’s a family member or a friend. Currently, there is no cure for dementia, but there is support and specialist advice.

The charity’s dementia specialist admiral nurses provide life-changing support for families affected by all forms of dementia. They work in hospitals, GP practices and local community services to provide clinical, emotional and practical support that enables people to live more positively with dementia.

Dr Hilda Hayo, chief admiral nurse and chief executive of Dementia UK said: “We are delighted to be working with Emma Barton for this year’s Time for a Cuppa campaign, where we’ll be calling on our supporters to grab a cup of tea and help raise vital funds for the charity.

“The last few years have placed increasing pressure on critical services that support families with dementia.

“At Dementia UK, we are passionate about ensuring every family that needs one has the specialist support of our admiral nurses – they are a lifeline in a care system which still doesn’t work for families with dementia.”

To sign up for Time for a Cuppa and help more families receive support of specialist dementia nurses, go to https://www.dementiauk.org/get-involved/events-and-fundraising/do-your-own-fundraising/time-for-a-cuppa/?timeforacuppa