As World Alzheimer’s Month comes to a close, it has been announced that Alzheimer’s Society benefitted from donations of £72,609 as the Official Charity of the BMW PGA Championship.
The UK's leading dementia charity was announced as the Official Charity of the prestigious tournament in 2019 and returned once again this year as the third Rolex Series event of the 2021 Race to Dubai was played at Wentworth Club from September 9-12.
Bolstered by the return of fans to the Surrey venue, Alzheimer’s Society benefitted from a variety of onsite activations during tournament week, including the fan-favourite Mega-Putt Challenge and an exciting new nearest-the-pin competition, both located in the Spectator Village.
Tournament partner BMW made a valuable contribution by donating a pro-am team for auction by Alzheimer’s Society, while the European Tour provided a boost to its season-long Every Birdie Counts campaign, part of the overarching Golf for Good initiative, by donating an additional €10 for every birdie made through during the tournament and €100 for every eagle.
Celebrities taking part in the star-studded BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro-Am on Wednesday of tournament week also had the chance to donate at the ‘Hit the Green’ Competition on the par three tenth hole.
The funds raised at the BMW PGA Championship will help Alzheimer’s Society to continue its vital work at a time when it has never been more needed, with people with dementia among those worst hit by coronavirus.
This partnership also builds on the charity’s work with the sports industry. Alzheimer’s Society’s Sport United Against Dementia campaign will bring the sporting world together to fund research, help people remain connected to their local communities through the clubs they know and love, build awareness of dementia, break down stigmas and fund vital support services to ensure the sporting community can get the dementia support they deserve.
Kit Gartrell, Championship Director of the BMW PGA Championship, said: “We were delighted to welcome Alzheimer’s Society back as Official Charity of the BMW PGA Championship this year. It’s fantastic to see such a significant figure going towards their important work across the UK at a time when their support for those affected by one of the UK’s biggest killers, as well as research and campaigning, has never been more vital."
Alex Hyde-Smith, Director of Fundraising at Alzheimer’s Society: “This incredible amount raised from the tournament will really help us make sure no-one faces dementia alone. Thanks to the BMW PGA Championship, we can continue to be a vital lifeline to even more people through our support services, after a really tough two years for people with dementia in the UK and their loved ones.”
BMW UK has been supporting Alzheimer’s Society as corporate partners since 2019. BMW UK CEO Chris Brownridge said, “We are delighted that the fans and players at this year’s BMW PGA Championship were able to make this great contribution to support the fantastic work Alzheimer’s Society does.”
