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EastEnders legend Barbara Windsor's tragic dementia battle sparks Boris Johnson 'mission' to finally beat syndrome in UK

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date14 August 2022
Publication titleMyLondon (England)
The actress' efforts to raise the profile of the syndrome have not been in vain, as Boris Johnson has announced he is launching a new "national mission" to tackle dementia in memory of the late TV and film star. The Prime Minister said the Government would commit an additional £95 million in research funding to help those suffering with dementia

The extra funding is intended to meet the Government's manifesto commitment to double funding into seeking treatments for dementia, which can manifest in a range of symptoms but is associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning, to £160 million by 2024.

READ MORE: EastEnders fans swoon over 'gorgeous' photo of the Panesar brothers in a behind-the-scenes snap

Mr Johnson issued an appeal for a "Babs' army" of volunteers, with or without a family history of dementia, to step forward to take part in clinical trials on new preventative therapies. The announcement follows a meeting earlier this week in Downing Street between Mr Johnson and Dame Barbara's widower, Scott Mitchell.

Mr Mitchell said: "Barbara would be so proud that she has had this legacy which will hopefully mean that families in the future won't have to go through the same heart-breaking experience that she and I had to endure." He added: "I can't stop thinking about her looking down with pride."

The Peggy Mitchell actress helped spearhead a campaign to raise awareness of dementia after Mr Mitchell disclosed in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with the syndrome four years earlier. Mr Johnson said: "Dame Barbara Windsor was a British hero. I am delighted that we can now honour Dame Barbara in such a fitting way, launching a new...

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