‘A song can be so powerful in connecting us with memories’
Sir Alex Ferguson has donated £100,000 to a leading music and dementia charity. The legendary former Manchester United manager, whose brother is living with dementia, became an ambassador for Playlist for Life last year.
The Glasgow-based charity, which has networks across the UK, was founded by Scottish writer and broadcaster Sally Magnusson MBE after she discovered meaningful songs helped improve her connections with her mother, who lived with dementia.
It works in support of those affected by dementia and said scientific research has shown listening to personally meaningful songs can help reduce distressing symptoms and improve quality of life. The charity’s mission is to ensure everyone living with dementia has access to a personal playlist as a standard element of their care and support.
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Bosses said the donation from Sir Alex through The Elizabeth Hardie Ferguson Charitable Trust Fund, which he founded in memory of his mother, would be vital to its ongoing work.
The ex-United boss said: “We all know someone whose life has been touched by dementia. I have seen the impact it can have in my own family and I know the challenges it can bring. But I also know that music is one of the best things available that can help. That’s why I back Playlist for Life and its mission to have music in dementia care and support as standard.
“The charity is transforming the lives of people affected by dementia across the UK using personally meaningful music. The songs that matter to us make up the soundtrack of our lives and for people living with dementia, that soundtrack can bring back treasured memories, reduce symptoms and help people reconnect.
“It’s a simple thing to do, but for someone affected by dementia, it can make a world of difference.”
Playlist for Life’s annual awareness campaign, National Playlist Day, is on Friday, September 18. The charity and Sir Alex were today encouraging everyone to create a personal playlist for themselves or someone close to them.
Sir Alex’s playlist now features 20 of his favourite songs, including The Beatles, The Drifters, Kity Kallen, Elvis and Dusty Springfield. And he said he’s recently added ‘We are the Champions’ by Queen, which he said takes him back to a special Manchester United title win.
“Music is a big part of my life,” he said. “I’ve shared songs from my own personal playlist, from Sinatra to Nat King Cole, and I’m encouraging everyone to do the same. I’ve added ‘We are the Champions’ to my playlist because it reminds me of the lap of honour at Old Trafford when Manchester United won the Premier League for the first time in 1993.
“A song can be so powerful in connecting us with memories.”
Michael Timmons, Executive Director of Playlist for Life, said the donation would’ play a vital role in helping everyone affected by dementia have access to a personal playlist’. “Sir Alex has been an incredible ambassador for our charity, championing our work with great warmth and humility,” he said.



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