ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH UK – Press Office 01223 843304 www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/news

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Leeds musician launches charity single for Alzheimer's Research UK

Singer-songwriter Rupert Stroud, from Leeds, releases a charity single entitled Always on Monday 23 April to boost funds for Alzheimer's Research UK. Always is a tribute to Rupert's grandma Eileen who died two years ago, aged 87, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. The single will be available globally as a download from Rupert's official charity single website rupertstroudforaruk.com and 100% of the profits will be donated to the UK's leading dementia research charity.

An official video has been filmed for the single, which will be available to view on YouTube youtube.com/user/rupertstroudmusic from 23 April or through Rupert's official charity single website rupertstroudforaruk.com.

Rupert, 25, released his debut album Rupert Road in 2009, followed by Chasing The Night, and his music is a mix of indie, rock and pop. All his songs are based on his life experiences and produced by Will Jackson at the Soundworks Studios in Leeds.

Rupert studied at Leeds Metropolitan University and recently moved from his home city to Ilkley. He explained his motivation for supporting Alzheimer's Research UK:
"My grandma was one of the sweetest souls you could ever meet – we were very close. Although she was tiny, she was incredibly strong and cared for my granddad for years as he had severe rheumatoid arthritis. She was devastated when he died and seemed to lose her spark for life. A few years later Alzheimer's crept on and her memories seemed frozen insider her. It opened our eyes to the desperate lack of funding for research into this cruel disease.

"When she was younger, Grandma enjoyed singing and could have gone on to be a professional dancer if circumstances were different. I've probably got my love of music and rhythm from her – she always encouraged me. But for the last few years of her life she needed 24-hour care. She didn't recognise any of us and couldn't speak – it was heartbreaking. She'd be proud to know this song is a tribute to her and that it will raise money for the new treatments so desperately needed for Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

"My single is just the start of my plans to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer's Research UK. I'm lining-up a series of music events, starting with a concert at the Ilkley Playhouse on 30 June. Writing music and performing live is my passion and having this positive focus makes it so worthwhile. It's young people like me who'll reap the benefits of today's pioneering research. I want to do my bit to help so that other people don't have to suffer like my wonderful grandma."

Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, Kris Hopkins, praised Rupert's fundraising efforts and said:
"Rupert's commitment to raising money for Alzheimer's Research UK is inspiring and will give hope to the increasing number of people living with this devastating disease. He is a talented musician and his achievements are the result of hard work and dedication. I wish him continued success with his music career and his fundraising efforts."

Miranda Mays, Community Fundraising Manager for Alzheimer's Research UK, said:
"We can't thank Rupert enough for releasing his single Always to raise money for our vital dementia research. This song is a wonderful tribute to his much loved grandma Eileen. Every £20 raised from downloads of the single will pay for another hour of world-class research, bringing us closer to finding ways to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

"There are 820,000 people across the UK living with dementia today, including over 7,500 people in Leeds. Dementia poses one of the greatest threats to public health now and in the future yet funding for research still lags far behind other serious diseases. We rely entirely on our amazing supporters like Rupert to fund our crucial research. Everyone who downloads Always will give hope to the 820,000 people across the UK living with dementia today, including over 7,500 people in Leeds."

Rupert Stroud's single Always will be available online from 23 April at rupertstroudforaruk.com. With a minimum donation to Alzheimer's Research UK of £2 and no donation limit, Rupert hopes everyone will be as generous as possible.