MAN Truck & Bus UK teams up with Alzheimer’s Society to deliver Christmas cheer

Commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus has kicked off a 12 day tour of the country delivering gift boxes of Christmas cheer as a way of thanking the army of carers and volunteers who selflessly support those living with dementia.

Working with Alzheimer’s Society, and partnered by Tesco, Willsmer Wagg and C3 Marketing, the MAN Charity Tree Tour started in Swindon this week and will crisscross the country visiting Alzheimer’s Society Memory Cafes and Singing for the Brain groups dropping off boxes of Christmas goodies.

Wrapped with a bow and looking like a typical Christmas present, the Charity Tree Tour boxes share the same wrapping paper design as the MAN TGE’s livery and contain a selection of MAN-branded biscuits, donated by Willsmer Wagg, mince pies, donated by Tesco and chocolate Celebrations, donated by MAN.

Stefan Thyssen, MAN Truck & Bus UK managing director, said: “We originally started working with Alzheimer’s Society as our chosen charity in April 2023 and throughout the year with the support and efforts of MAN Truck & Bus employees we’ve held several fundraising events in support of this incredible and much-admired charity.

“We all know that Christmas is a time of giving, showing appreciation and spending quality time with loved ones and friends. But as we take a moment to think about the wellbeing of others, our nationwide Charity Tree Tour will deliver a small token of thanks to the many carers and volunteers who tirelessly provide support and care to those facing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.”

“Thousands of carers and volunteers give their time willingly, without question and with a loving smile. They play a fundamental role in providing vital support, helping reduce isolation felt by people living with dementia and increase the wellbeing of those affected, treating them with courtesy, dignity, appreciation and compassion,” he added

The society was founded in 1979 and has a brief to unite caregivers, provide support to those facing Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias, and help advance research into the disease.

There are currently around 900,000 people in the UK living with dementia with ne in three people born in the UK todayexpected to develop dementia in their lifetime. The condition is more prevalent in women than in men and it mainly affects people over the age of 65.

Calls to the Alzheimer’s Society support line are expected to rise by 60% after Christmas because the festive period can be the most difficult time of the year for those living with dementia, leaving many feeling overwhelmed and confused, with family gatherings potentially distressing experiences for dementia sufferers, who may not recognise their relatives or remember their names.

Departing from MAN Truck & Bus UK headquarters in Swindon on the 4 December the MAN Charity Tree Tour’s first point of call was to the South Ribble district of Preston, where it delivered its boxes to an Alzheimer’s Society Singing for the Brain group. From there the Tour headed out to one of the charity’s Dementia Cafés in Sleaford before turning towards Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham. Other locations the team will be visiting include Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth, with the tour finishing back at Swindon on 15 December.

Amy Tattersall, community fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Society, said: “The support we’ve received from MAN Truck & Bus UK is fantastic and is making a life-changing difference to people living with dementia.

“Christmas should be one of the happiest times of the year, but sadly for hundreds of thousands of people living with dementia, the festive period can be a really challenging time. I’m sure that the generous gifts being distributed to people throughout this Charity Tree Tour will bring a smile to people’s faces. Thank you to all those involved.If anyone finds themselves in need of support they can contact Alzheimer’s Society’s Support Line on 0333 150 3456.”

MAN Truck & Bus UK driver training expert Luke Osbourne, who is responsible for driving the TGE over the 12 days, added: “When asked I simply jumped at the opportunity to be involved with this tremendous cause, quite simply, who wouldn’t? Over the 12 days we’ll cover somewhere in the region of 1400 miles, deliver 23 goodie boxes and hopefully received more smiles than we can count.

”Carers are special people who often juggle their day-to-day responsibilities around looking after the needs of others, more often than not putting themselves and their personal needs second. At this time of year they deserve an arm around their shoulder and a huge thank you. I hope the MAN Charity Tree Tour will deliver a show of much earned appreciation.”