Join Babs’ Army, says Boris as he launches UK war on dementia

BORIS Johnson has launched a ‘national mission’ to tackle dementia in memory of the actress Dame Barbara Windsor.

In one of his final acts as Prime Minister, Mr Johnson has vowed to double funding by 2024 to £160million a year and, in addition, provide £95million for research into the ‘devastating condition’. He has also called for volunteers to join ‘Babs’ Army’ by signing up for clinical trials.

One million Britons are predicted to be living with dementia by 2025 and 1.6million by 2040 – yet it is believed that if the condition were better understood, up to 40 per cent of those cases could be prevented.

Famed for her infectious laugh, risqué roles in the Carry On films and as pub landlady Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, Dame Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s – the most common cause of the degenerative brain disease – in 2016.

She campaigned to raise research funds and awareness of the illness until her death, four years later, aged 83.

Last night the Prime Minister said: ‘Dame Barbara Windsor was a British hero. I am delighted that we can honour her in such a fitting way, launching a new national dementia mission in her name.

‘Working with her husband Scott, I am doubling research funding and calling for volunteers to join Babs’ Army. We can work together to beat this disease and honour an exceptional woman who campaigned tirelessly for change.’

The additional £95 million will be used to boost the number of clinical trials and research projects.

Mr Mitchell, the actress’s third husband, said: ‘I’m so pleased. Barbara would be so proud that she has had this legacy.’

Volunteers can offer to help by signing up to the UK service Join Dementia Research.

Mark MacDonald, associate director at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘Dementia is the biggest killer in the UK and there are no treatments yet. The promise to commit an additional £95million into research and encourage more people to take part in clinical trials is crucial to accelerate progress.’