DAME Barbara Windsor said Alzheimer’s Disease was a “cruel illness” in a video message on Good Morning Britain today.
The legendary actress – who suffers from the disease – sent the message for a winner at the show’s One Million Minutes Awards and the touching footage was shown on GMB this morning.
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She awarded Danny Brown the inaugural Dame Barbara Windsor Award – an accolade for someone who has helped people with Alzheimer’s or Dementia combat loneliness.
Dame Barbara told Danny: “Volunteers like you are so important in the fight against loneliness, especially for those like us, who know all too well the struggles of a cruel illness.
“Your dedication to helping others has not only helped bring your community together, but brought much-needed attention to the valuable cause.”
She added: “And doing all this at the same time as living with dementia yourself, is truly inspirational.
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“Thank you Danny, and congratulations again. God bless.”
She then blew Danny a kiss in the touching clip.
Winner Danny was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2014 and struggled with the diagnosis, so made plans to end his life.
But after contacting the Alzheimer’s Society, he got support, became involved in volunteering and saved himself by raising awareness of dementia.
He has visited schools, churches, shopping centres and even a cinema to raise awareness about dementia.
