ALZHEIMER’S Society ambassador Terry Eccott said it was “a great privilege” to be part of ITV’s Text Santa charity campaign, which raised more than £1m last year.

The cash was split between funding dementia support workers across the UK and developing a new programme for younger people with the condition.

Dementia support workers provide much-needed support for people with dementia, their family members and carers. The role of support workers is to offer both the practical and emotional support that people affected by dementia may need after diagnosis. From signposting people to services and providing information about dementia, they help people affected by the condition maintain their independence and improve their sense of well being.

On this note, Mr Eccott, 54, has expressed thanks to his own support worker, Anne, who he says “has been invaluable to me and my family, like so many of her colleagues who work silently but so effectively in the background across the country”.

Alzheimer’s Society research now shows that at least 42,000 people with dementia are under the age of 65, much higher than previously thought.

As well as funding for support workers, the money raised by ITV’s Text Santa campaign is being used to develop a programme specifically for younger people with dementia which will address early diagnosis, assessment and referral, access to specialist services, financial support, good employment practice, as well as education and training.