KATE Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, pledged to make this election memorable by taking action to support the 850,000 people living with dementia across the UK.

She joined more than 200 MPs and representatives from Alzheimer’s Society in Westminster to meet people with dementia and commit to support those affected by the condition.

On the day, Ms Green supported Alzheimer’s Society’s general election campaign that is calling for more people to get the dementia diagnosis they need and for everyone to be properly supported afterwards.

The MP has previously participated in Dementia Friends training in parliament and has worked to promote Dementia Friends awareness sessions for local businesses across her constituency, including Stretford Mall.

Ms Green said: “We all have a part to play in improving the lives of people living with dementia. There are around 1,139 people living with the condition in Stretford and Urmston - and many more who are in regular contact with family and friends with the condition. It is an issue we absolutely cannot afford to ignore.”

Alzheimer’s Society campaigners were in Westminster to urge members of Parliament to make this election memorable for all those affected by dementia. The charity is striving to ensure that more people get a diagnosis and the support they need, that there is a doubling of spending on dementia research and that communities are encouraged to become dementia friendly to ensure people with dementia can live full and active lives.

While in Westminster, Alzheimer’s Society supporter Shelagh Robinson, 73, who was diagnosed with dementia five years ago, delivered a petition with 67,375 signatures to the Prime Minister. The petition calls for everyone diagnosed with dementia to have access to a Dementia Adviser or Support Worker – a named contact who can help them come to terms with the diagnosis and guide them through the complex health and social care system.

George McNamara, head of policy and public affairs at Alzheimer’s Society said: “Dementia is the biggest health and care challenge our country faces."