Men's Ashes: ECB team up with Alzheimer's Society and dedicate third day of fifth and final Test to stumping out dementia

The ECB teamed up with Alzheimer's Society for the first time in a bid to stump dementia out of the game.

The third day of the Fifth Men's Ashes Test on Saturday July 29 to raising vital funds and drawing much-needed awareness to the disease.

England's players showed their support prior to play starting, with the players swapping shirts and wearing a different team-mates name on the back to draw attention to the confusion often experienced by people living with dementia.

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Alzheimer's Society CEO, Kate Lee, told Sky Sports: "It's a real battle and very difficult for families - whether that's trying to keep people at home, or thinking about care which is very expensive. It's really challenging.

"My heart goes out to the hundreds and thousands of people caring for someone with dementia across the UK. They are absolute stars."

She added: "We've got to get people coming forward much earlier to get a diagnosis.

"And Alzheimer's Society is working on a piece of research to design a blood test that your GP could give you before you even get symptoms of dementia. It's going to take time. But early diagnosis is the key.

"The drugs that are coming online now slow down Alzheimer's. They're not a cure, but we want to slow it down as early as possible so that people can keep working, driving and playing cricket with their grandchildren."

Lee also highlighted how people can get tested for Alzheimer's, adding: "If you feel like you've got some of the signs, go on to the Alzheimer's Society website, fill out our checklist of symptoms you might want to look out for, see your GP and take that list with you."

England captain Ben Stokes said: "The Ashes is one of the great sporting contests, and over the years it has produced so many amazing memories for me and millions more. As a team we want to entertain, and to make many more memories for cricket fans up and down the country.

"But we know that dementia affects far too many people and has a terrible effect on them and their loved ones. By teaming up with the Alzheimer's Society, I'm pleased we can raise awareness and vital money to help end the devastation caused by dementia."

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Penny Hoskins, whose husband, Paul, has vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease, said: "Me and Paul have been married for 35 years, and in all that time Paul's second love has always been cricket.

"There are days when the condition is more noticeable, but when Paul engages with cricket it's like seeing him as his former self. He volunteers at his local cricket club in Horsham every week, setting the wickets and keeping the pavilion tidy. He loves it, the club are so supportive of Paul, and it makes such a wonderful difference to his wellbeing and allows me to get vital respite.

"The day Paul was diagnosed we went straight to Alzheimer's Society, and never looked back. Seeing Alzheimer's Society with its own dedicated day during the Ashes is fantastic and will make a huge difference to so many cricket fans who are living with dementia".

The fifth Ashes Test match at The Oval is just one example of how Alzheimer's Society is uniting clubs, governing bodies, and individuals in sport. The charity has brought together leading figures across multiple sports, including ECB Chair Richard Thompson, to make the biggest difference now and in generations to come.

Any money raised will go towards funding faster diagnosis, pioneering research and Alzheimer's Society's support services have been used more than 4.5 million times last year and are a lifeline to thousands of families, helping people through some of the hardest and most frightening times.

To find out more about Alzheimer's Society's work with sport, visit alzheimers.org.uk/unforgettable-sport. If you're worried about dementia and need more information or support, contact Alzheimer's Society.