Pictured: Richard Grellman whose wife Suellen has advanced young onset Alzheimer’s disease, with son Ben.
Dementia continues to be one of the biggest global public health challenges faced by modern societies.
With the number of people with dementia worldwide continuing to increase, UNSW Sydney’s has launched the first ever inter-generational Wipeout Dementia with a vision of inspiring societal change across the lifespan.
Spokesman for The Dementia Momentum, Richard Grellman AM Hon D.Univ, who is also Chairman of IPH Limited and FBR Limited, is calling for a national priority to be placed on physical activity across the lifespan to reduce risk of dementia in late life.
“Effectively tackling known risk factors for dementia could prevent up to one-fifth of new cases by 2025,” say CHeBA Co-Directors Professor Henry Brodaty and Professor Perminder Sachdev, who lead a number of international studies addressing modifiable lifestyle factors of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
The first inter-generational Wipeout Dementia, being held tomorrow, 25 May 2019, boasts 16 inter-generational teams comprised of father-son, father-daughter and uncle-nephew combinations including Ambassador 1978 World Surfing Champion Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew and his 15-year-old son, Keo Bartholomew, a surfer for Billabong. Participating surfers are aged between 10 and 70 years of age.
The event’s major sponsors are Morgans Financial and Kennards Hire with significant secondary support from Colliers International Residential, Cunninghams International and SkiJapan.com.
Chairman of Morgans Foundation, Mr Bruce Wallis, said it was a company priority to support campaigns like Wipeout Dementia that advocate certain lifestyle behaviours across the lifespan.
“We have a corporate social responsibility to support research into healthy ageing – particularly healthy brain ageing,” said Mr Wallis.
“We are proud to support Wipeout Dementia on a ‘best endeavours’ basis across a number of years to improve CHeBA’s research outcomes and advocate the need for greater awareness around modifiable lifestyle factors for better brain health in late life,” he said.
Morgans’ Executive Director – Corporate Advisory, Mark Gross, who has surfed across many of the Wipeout Dementia events and been the campaign’s highest fundraiser, has brought 10 year old son Ben into the first inter-generational event.
“Having awareness of the relationship between physical activity and brain health from a young age is critical for the next generation,” said Mr Gross.
“The inter-generational Wipeout Dementia is the perfect platform for us all to help educate the younger generation about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and help turn the tide on this extraordinary health and social issue,” he said.
CHeBA’s Co-Directors extended their thanks for the extraordinary support across the Wipeout Dementia community and congratulated all.
“Our vision is for the younger generation to have long and fulfilling lives characterised by physical, mental and cognitive well-being,” said CHeBA’s Co-Directors.
“If we could emphasise one behaviour to achieve this, it would be regular physical exercise. Wipeout Dementia is a celebration of this behaviour.”
“Our researchers are also working on developing markers of brain disease before any manifestations of decline in memory and other cognitive functioning, so that we can develop strategies to truly prevent the development of dementia,” says Professor Perminder Sachdev.
Richard Grellman confirmed that all funds raised in Wipeout Dementia go to The Dementia Momentum.
Sponsor one of the surfing teams:
Team members in the inaugural inter-generational event aged 10 – 70 are:
GRELLMAN’S EVERGREENS
Wayne “Rabbit” (1978 World Surfing Champion and Ambassador) & Keo Bartholomew
Tony & David Camphin
Richard & Ben Grellman
Ian Freestone & Heath Sims
GILLESPIE’S GROMMETS FOREVER
Rob Gillespie & Chris Clarke
Peter & Lachlan Chittenden
Peter & George Murphy
Simon & Eloise Liddy
MARK’S MAVERICKS
Mark & Ben Gross
Richard & Eliza Gerahty
Tony & Stella Holt
Geoff & Lachlan Nesbitt
CUNNINGHAM’S CRUISERS
John Cunningham & Sam Wright
Andreas & Wylie Faeste
James & Alby Haywood
Phillip & Hugh Waddington
Major Sponsors
Secondary Sponsors
Thank you to the following in-kind supporters who have helped shape this event:
Austin Ware Surf Coaching
Bounce Australia
Carman’s Fine Foods Pty Ltd
Chiosco by Ormeggio
Dripping Wet Surf Co.
Fine Fettle Foods Pty Ltd
Hurley
Manly Kayak Centre
Photoscenic
Queenscliff SLSC
Slim Secrets
The Happy Snack Company
Thunder Jet Boat Sydney
