Hull FC have unveiled their 2024 charity jersey, proudly supporting Alzheimer’s Society, as the club aims to highlight the importance of early dementia diagnosis.
The limited edition jersey, which will be worn by the first-team squad during our Charity & Inclusion Fixture against St Helens at the MKM Stadium on Saturday 3rd August, is on sale now online, and in store from 9.00am on Friday.
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer and almost one million people are living with the condition, yet a third of people affected have not received a diagnosis. The Hull FC community is one that has been deeply affected in recent seasons; ex-players James Leuluai and David Doyle-Davidson, as well as former head coach Royce Simmons, are all currently living with the effects of the disease, while Tony Duke, Chris Davidson and George Robinson have all sadly lost their battles with the illness in the last 18-months.
Produced by merchandise partners Castore®, the shirt features imagery and newspaper headlines from some of the club’s most iconic moments throughout our 159 year history, including our 2016 Challenge Cup Final victory, and our 1982 homecoming victory parade following our Challenge Cup success, as well as photos of legendary players including Johnny Whiteley MBE and David Topliss.
The design sees the imagery fade towards the top of the shirt – during the fixture against the Saints, the club have been granted special dispensation from the RFL for players to play without their names on the back of their jerseys – both elements aim to draw attention to how people with dementia lose precious memories, even the names of their favourite players, signifying one of the cruellest symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia in memory loss.
As well as carrying the charity’s eye-catching ‘forget-me-not’ blue tone across the collar and sleeve cuffs, the Alzheimer’s Society logo takes pride of place on the front of the shirt, with main club partner Ecostrad proudly forgoing their sponsorship rights which would ordinarily see them feature on the shirt – instead, Ecostrad takes pride in supporting Alzheimer’s Society in their vision of a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.
Ecostrad’s Managing Director, Stephen Hankinson, said : “Ecostrad is proud support Hull FC in their partnership with Alzheimer’s Society in their mission give help and hope to all those affected by dementia,
“We are deeply aware of the devastating impact dementia can have on individuals and families, including some of our own. Supporting the community is central to our values, and we feel privileged to help highlight such an essential charity.”
Alzheimer’s Society fundraiser, Ju Henderson, said: “We’re really excited to be teaming up with Hull FC for this special jersey partnership and are hugely grateful to the club and Ecostrad for supporting our work in this way.
“It’s so important to us to not only raise funds for our local services but also to raise awareness of dementia, which is the UK’s biggest killer.
“One in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime so it’s vital that we continue to support families, fund research and keep dementia high on the government agenda.”
Hull FC fan Jo, who currently resides at the Beverley Parklands Care Home and is living with the illness, became the very first supporter to receive the jersey earlier this week as part of the home’s ‘Inspire24’ project, having been visited by former player Lee Crooks, and first-team players Brad Fash and Jordan Lane – both of whom have had family members affected by dementia.
The 78-year old lifelong supporter, whose all-time favourite player is Steve ‘Knocker’ Norton, still holds the Black & Whites close to her heart, keeping memorabilia in her room, and has created many FC themed scrapbooks over the years.
To watch our surprise visit to Jo – click here
Hull FC previously supported Alzheimer’s Society by auctioning their 2022 Magic Weekend jerseys, and following the fixture against the Saints in August, the match-worn jerseys will again be signed by members of the playing squad and auctioned via the club’s eBay channel, with all proceeds donated to Alzheimer’s Society.
The club have proudly supported many organisations over the course of the last 15 years through various charity jerseys, including the likes of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the Steve Prescott Foundation, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, the RAF Association and the Yorkshire Scan Appeal, and the club are once again immensely proud to be supporting another worthy cause.
Hull FC Chairman, Adam Pearson, said: “As a club, we know all too well the cruel effects that Alzheimer’s and dementia can cause – we’ve seen several of our former players and staff affected by the illness in recent years, some of whom are sadly no longer with us, while I know there are many across our organisation whose family members have been affected too.
“It is a truly terrible disease which robs people of some of their most basic human faculties – most notably, and undoubtedly most sadly, their memories.
“Alzheimer’s Society work tirelessly to help fund research into early diagnosis and eventually finding a cure, and we’re proud to play a small role in spreading that awareness amongst our supporters and the Rugby League community.
“If our campaign through unveiling this jersey can help just one person receive an early diagnosis of the illness, it will have made a lasting impact.”
To get your Alzheimer’s Society charity jersey now – click here
What is Alzheimer’s and dementia?
Alzheimer’s is a specific brain disease that accounts for 60% to 80% of all dementia cases – dementia is the general overarching term for symptoms affecting cognitive abilities that include a decline in memory, confusion, changes in behavior, reasoning or other thinking skills.
While there are other forms of dementia, such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and Frontotemporal dementia, all of which have their own distinct causes and characteristics, Alzheimer’s is the most common form in the UK, characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.
Dementia, the UK’s biggest killer with one in three people born today expected to develop dementia in their lifetime, is caused when the disease damages nerve cells in the brain, is progressive, which means symptoms may be relatively mild at first, but they get worse over time.
Dementia devastates lives, but it’s not an inevitable part of ageing. Alzheimer’s Society research shows that 982,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia. By 2040, 1.4 million people will be living with the condition in the UK, and many millions more carers, partners, families and friends affected.
And although dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, one in three people living with dementia don’t have a diagnosis and too many people still think dementia is just a sign of normal ageing, unsure of the symptoms, and too afraid to visit their GP. A diagnosis can allow families more time to plan for the future and unlock the door to treatment, care and support.
To find out more about the symptoms, causes and treatments for dementia – click here (https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/what-is-dementia)
If you see the signs of dementia in a loved one, show them your support by visiting alzheimers.org.uk/sports to use Alzheimer’s Society’s symptoms checklist.
Who are Alzheimer’s Society?
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity, providing help and hope to everyone affected by dementia – past, present and future.
Too many face dementia alone. Alzheimer’s Society wants everyone affected by dementia to know that whoever they are, whatever they’re going through, they can turn to us for expert support through practical advice, emotional support, and guidance for the best next step.
Alzheimer’s Society is the only UK dementia research charity to fund both biomedical and care research, funding research in dementia diagnosis, treatment and care, and is a funding partner of the UK Dementia Research Institute, and will not rest until people living with dementia and their carers live more fulfilled and less fearful lives, free from stigma and inequality.
Alzheimer’s Society offers friendly support through a range of virtual and in-person services, including a Dementia Support Line (0333 150 3456), an online Dementia Support Forum, and Dementia Advisers.
Alzheimer’s Society relies on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0330 333 0804 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
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