Wembley Park is using the platform of World Alzheimer’s Month to spotlight the poignant connection between English football and the fight against dementia.
Collaborating with the Alzheimer’s Society, the neighborhood presents the evocative photographic exhibition titled ‘Football Should Be Unforgettable’.
Running from August 30th to September 30th, this collection of illuminated portraits casts the spotlight on England’s football stars, including the likes of Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw.
Beyond celebrating their personal football memories, these striking images also serve as a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Society, addressing the urgent need for awareness and resources.
Shockingly, dementia is currently the leading cause of death in the UK, and with an estimated one in three people born today set to face the condition, the cause is a pressing one.
The exhibition, integrated within the Wembley Park Art Trail, extends its reach to encompass individuals receiving support from the Alzheimer’s Society. These participants, many of whom are living with dementia, contribute items and photos that encapsulate their cherished football-related memories.
This touching addition underscores the profound impact of football on lives, even amidst the challenges of memory loss.
Participant Peter Flanagan, an ardent Aston Villa fan navigating dementia, notes the community aspect of football: “I love walking around Aston or sitting in the Holte End wearing claret and blue and feeling like I’m part of a community.
“I remember wearing my claret and blue when we went to watch Villa v Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final in 2020.”
Lara Watson, another contributor, shares her family’s football bond despite her father Geoff’s struggle with dementia: “As a family, we got caught up in football, largely thanks to my dad, Geoff.
“Dad was a boyhood fan of Manchester United, and became their Chief Scout. He carried a little red notebook with all his ideas and phone numbers in; it never left his side.”
The ‘Football Should Be Unforgettable’ exhibition enriches the Wembley Park Art Trail, an open-air gallery inviting acclaimed artists to utilize the urban landscape as a creative canvas. The exhibition, like the entire trail, is open to the public free of charge, making art and its messages accessible to all. Visitors can also contribute to the Alzheimer’s Society campaign through QR codes accompanying the portraits.
For more details, visit www.wembleypark.com/art or follow updates on Facebook and Instagram.
To learn more about Alzheimer’s Society or make a donation, visit alzheimers.org.uk.
