Water firm backs charityÂ

The water firm aims to raise £100,000 for the charity, and as well as fundraising will be encouraging employees to become Dementia Friends.

Beverley Thompson, Southern Water's community campaigns and engagement manager said: '˜We are proud to be supporting an inspiring charity that provides vital care, when it is most needed, to our customers across the region living with dementia.

'˜As part of our partnership our colleagues will have lots of opportunities to volunteer and fundraise with them and they will also have the chance to learn about how we can further help our vulnerable customers and improve our service to them.'

Staff will be taking part in and supporting the charity's fundraising events, including the Portsmouth Memory Walk on Saturday, October 6 on Castle Field.

Nick O'Donohue, Alzheimer's Society operations manager for Hampshire, said: '˜There are 24,669 people living with dementia in Hampshire, and dementia is the biggest health and social care challenge facing society, with more than 1m set to develop the condition across the country by 2021.'