Press releases

Legal & General supports Alzheimer’s Research UK’s campaign to challenge misconceptions about dementia

Legal & General is supporting a bold campaign from Alzheimer’s Research UK that challenges one of the most common misconceptions about dementia. This World Alzheimer’s Month, the charity’s #ShareTheOrange campaign is highlighting that dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing, to help counter fatalism about the condition and show that hope lies in research. Through a series of award-winning films, produced by Aardman Animations and featuring Samuel L. Jackson, Bryan Cranston and Christopher Eccleston, the campaign uses an orange to demonstrate the physical impact that diseases like Alzheimer’s have on the brain.

23 Sep 2020


Full press release

The UK’s leading dementia research charity launched the campaign’s first instalment in 2015, with the second and third chapters of the campaign following in 2018 and 2019. Each film features an orange gradually stripped away to demonstrate how the diseases that cause dementia physically attack the brain. The brain of a person with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, weighs around 140g less than a healthy brain – about the weight of an orange.

One in five people still incorrectly believe that dementia is an inevitable part of ageing. Together the films help to counter this belief and show that dementia is caused by physical diseases that could be slowed, and ultimately stopped, through research. Having supported previous iterations of the campaign, Legal & General has helped the UK’s leading dementia research charity reach new audiences with this important message.

People with dementia have been particularly hard hit by COVID-19, with figures suggesting a quarter of those dying from COVID-19 have also had dementia. The pandemic has also had a devastating impact on dementia research, with many projects and trials delayed or cancelled, and less funding available for new studies. These shocking figures give the #ShareTheOrange campaign new meaning, as it seeks to build public understanding and support for dementia research at a time when it has never been more needed.

Click here to view the films

Sara Heald, Head of CSR at Legal & General: "We are proud to support #ShareTheOrange for the third year. Dementia has a devastating impact on the individual and their loved ones, and that’s what we really want to stop. This campaign reminds us that dementia is caused by physical diseases of the brain.  With research we hope this will slow down and eventually stop this horrible condition."
Tim Parry, Director of Communications at Alzheimer’s Research UK: "As our greatest long-term medical challenge, dementia causes untold heartache to families across the globe – but our #ShareTheOrange campaign shows that through research we can change this picture. That message has never been so important, as people with dementia are bearing the brunt of COVID-19 and the future of dementia research is under threat from the pandemic. Now more than ever, dementia research needs our backing."

For further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact Kirsty Marais, Senior Media & Communications Manager on 0300 111 5 666, 07826 559233 or email press@alzheimersresearchuk.org


  • Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading charity specialising in finding preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia.
  • For our latest updates follow us on Twitter @AlzResearchUK
  • Our animation “What is dementia?” explains the essentials of dementia and the diseases that cause it youtube.com/watch?v=HobxLbPhrMc
  • We rely on donations to fund our vital dementia research. To help make breakthroughs possible, donate today by visiting alzheimersresearchuk.org or calling 0300 111 5555.
  • We are currently supporting pioneering dementia research projects worth nearly £34 million in leading Universities across the UK.
  • How can we challenge perceptions of dementia using only an orange? Find out more at alzheimersresearchuk.org/orange and help us share a better understanding about dementia. #ShareTheOrange

Notes to editors

Established in 1836, Legal & General is one of the UK's leading financial services groups and a major global investor, with £1.1 trillion in total assets under management (as at HY24) of which c.40% (c.£0.5 trillion) is international.

We have a highly synergistic business model, which continues to drive strong returns. We are a leading international player in Institutional Retirement, in Retail Savings and Protection, and in both public and private markets through our Asset Management division. Across the Group, we are committed to responsible investing and dedicated to serving the long-term savings and investment needs of customers and society.

As at 3 December 2024, Legal & General has a market capitalisation of £13.1 billion.