Rugby Sevens star and Alzheimer’s Society supporter Ollie Phillips has become a Dementia Friend.
The England winger 'tackled' an awareness session with other members of the public wishing to learn more about the condition at the NHS Healthcare Innovation Expo.
After speaking to health and social care professionals about his Nan Audrey, who passed away with dementia in January, Ollie decided to attend one of the hourly Dementia Friends sessions being run at the event by Alzheimer's Society.
Talking about the session, Ollie said:
'I know how dementia affected my Nan but the condition is different for everyone. The Dementia Friends session I attended today really put me in the shoes of someone with dementia, and made me think about what it’s really like to live with it on a day-to-day basis.
'The condition affects 800,000 people across the UK so it's really important that as a society we improve our understanding. It was a real privilege to take part in the session and be amongst others who also want to improve their knowledge and be part of making life better for people with dementia.'
Ollie recently swapped his rugby scrumcap for a cycling helmet and signed up for Alzheimer’s Society's London to Brussels cycle ride challenge in September, to help raise money in the fight against the condition. To sign up to join Ollie visit alzheimers.org.uk/events