Overview
- Twenty-two adults living with dementia walked out with both teams and stood for the national anthems, replacing the usual child mascots.
- Players returned for the second half without names on their shirts to symbolize memory loss, a key symptom of dementia.
- Participants were nominated through Alzheimer’s Society services, football clubs and their foundations, and independent dementia groups and cafés.
- FA and FAW leaders emphasized the event as part of an ongoing partnership launched in 2021 to raise funds and awareness for people affected by dementia.
- Fans including Andy Paul and Anita Goundry shared that taking part was a proud, eye-opening moment aimed at challenging stereotypes about the condition.