Join Babs’ Army! Boris Johnson launches ‘national mission’ to tackle dementia in memory of Dame Barbara Windsor
- PM in one of his final acts will double funding for dementia to £160m by 2024
- Johnson has asked volunteers to sign up for ‘Babs’ Army’ by doing clinical trials
- Total of 1m Brits predicted to be living with dementia by 2025, 1.6m in 2040
Boris Johnson has launched a ‘national mission’ to tackle dementia in memory of the much-loved actress Dame Barbara Windsor.
In one of his final acts as Prime Minister, Mr Johnson has vowed to double funding to £160 million a year by 2024 and, in addition, will provide £95 million for research into the ‘devastating condition’.
And he has also called for volunteers to join a ‘Babs’ Army’ by signing up for clinical trials.
One million Britons are predicted to be living with dementia by 2025, and 1.6 million by 2040 – yet it is believed that if the condition were better understood, up to 40 per cent of those cases could be prevented.
Famed for her infectious laugh, risque roles in the Carry On films and as pub landlady Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, Dame Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s – the most common cause of the degenerative brain disease – in 2016. She campaigned to raise research funds and awareness of the illness until her death, four years later, aged 83.
Boris Johnson has launched a ‘national mission’ to tackle dementia in memory of the much-loved actress Dame Barbara Windsor (pictured in 2019 with the PM)
Last night the Prime Minister said: ‘Dame Barbara Windsor was a British hero. I had the pleasure of meeting her both on the set of EastEnders and at Downing Street as we discussed dementia.
‘I am delighted that we can now honour her in such a fitting way, launching a new national dementia mission in her name.
‘Working with her husband Scott, I am doubling research funding and calling for volunteers to join Babs’ Army. We can work together to beat this disease, and honour an exceptional woman who campaigned tirelessly for change.’
Queen Elizabeth II (left, in 2001) in the Queen Vic pub during a visit to Elstree Studios where EastEnders is filmed. She was accompanied by long standing cast member Barbara Windsor (Peggy Mitchell) and her on-screen son Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell)
Dame Barbara’s husband Scott Mitchell (pictured together outside 10 Downing Street)
The additional £95 million will be used to boost the number of clinical trials and research projects.
Mr Mitchell, the actress’s third husband, said: ‘I’m so pleased Boris had the conviction to do this reform. Barbara would be so proud that she has had this legacy.’
Volunteers can offer help by signing up to the UK service Join Dementia Research.
Mark MacDonald, of the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘Dementia is the biggest killer in the UK and there are no treatments yet. The promise to commit an additional £95 million into research and encourage more people to take part in clinical trials is crucial to accelerate progress into game-changing therapies.’
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