The Marks & Spencer store in Weymouth took on the challenge of raising vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society over the last twelve months.

Cheryl Osborne, who has worked at the store for 40 years, nominated Alzheimer’s Society to be their chosen charity because her dad was diagnosed with dementia. She had no idea just how many people in the local community had been affected by the condition until they started fundraising.

Cheryl said: “It was enjoyable fundraising for Alzheimer's Society because it has touched so many of our customers and colleagues in one way or another, which made everyone so generous, even though there are so many worthy causes out there.”

In-store staff dressed up as elves for Alzheimer’s Society’s Elf Day, they held regular raffles and a retired member of staff made forget-me-not pin badges to be sold in store for a donation. Cheryl’s brother Nigel, who also works at the store, decided to dress up as a chicken at Easter time and challenged himself to take part in a bike-a-thon on a static bike which alone raised £600.

Siân Neville, Community Fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Society in Dorset and Somerset said: “We are extremely grateful to Cheryl and all the staff and customers at M&S Weymouth for all of the time and energy they put into their year of fundraising for Alzheimer's Society. Their total over the year was an incredible £5,237.98. We want to say a massive thank you.

“We’re facing an incredible challenge: one person every three minutes develops dementia and there is no cure. We’re here to change that but we need more shops and businesses like M&S to join us as we take on dementia together.”

From running your local 5K to trekking the Great Wall of China, and cycling from London to Paris to parachuting, Alzheimer's Society has a fantastic range of events both in the UK and abroad. Visit at alzheimers.org.uk