A group of passionate volunteers have celebrated a hugely successful first year of fundraising for dementia research by visiting a laboratory to see the kind of pioneering work they are helping to fund.

The members of the Alzheimer’s Research UK Shropshire Fundraising Group, who have raised more than £20,000, enjoyed a tour of a laboratory at Aston University yesterday as part of their first anniversary celebrations.

The event coincided with Dementia Action Week which runs from May 21 to 27.

Among their top fundraising events over the past year has been a collection at Sainsbury's in Oswestry when they were joined by a Star Wars stormtrooper to help raise more than £500.

Their most recent event saw them turn Newport town centre orange with the help of local businesses that decked out their shop front in the charity's colour.

The group has also helped spread the word about dementia and the importance of research throughout the county, inspiring others to get involved. Group leader Katie Foster, whose dad died with Alzheimer’s in 2007, said: “The first year of the Shropshire fundraising group has been totally astounding in so many ways.

“Our view is to always put the ‘fun’ into fundraising so that it is a real pleasure to raise money to help scientists across the country work on finding treatments for dementia.

“Our group is pretty small so we'd love more people to join us."

She continued: “Dementia is an awful condition which destroys not only the individual living with it but affects their families and friends too.

“My dad died of Alzheimer's. It was heartbreaking to watch him fade away. A man who used to love chess, difficult crosswords, music and dance and his granddaughters, gradually disappeared to the point where he thought he was back in the prisoner of war camp where he spent five years after being captured defending Dunkirk in 1940.”

Dr Eric Hill, Programme Director for MSc Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine at Aston University, who hosted the group on the lab tour, commented: “We were delighted to host the Shropshire fundraising group.

“This group have raised a remarkable amount of money for dementia research. Through the hard work and determination of such dedicated groups we will one day defeat dementia.”

New members are always welcome to the group.

For more information about volunteering for Alzheimer’s Research UK contact Zoe Baggott, regional fundraising officer for the West Midlands, on 07469 852501 or email zoe.baggott@alzheimersresearchuk.org