The Alzheimer’s Society has paid tribute to its much-loved Ambassador Gordon Banks OBE – who worked tirelessly to create change for people with dementia.

The former England, Stoke and Leicester goalkeeper was a passionate advocate for the charity for several years, drawing on his personal experience of dementia as he urged the public to join him and unite against dementia.

During his time as Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador, Mr Banks spearheaded the charity’s ‘United Against Dementia’ campaign with fellow Three Lions teammate, Sir Geoff Hurt, in which he was instrumental in calling on the public to donate to help challenge perceptions, fund research and improve and provide care and support for everyone living with dementia.

Sir Hurst said: “Gordon was an inspiration to us all and I’m incredibly proud of the work we did together, not only in our careers, but to support the work of Alzheimer’s Society. We have all lost a dear friend, activist and hero and our lives will not be the same without him.”

In 2018, Gordon also boosted the leading dementia charity’s flagship fundraising campaign, Memory Walk, and aged 80 Gordon even laced up his trainers to take part in an event in Stoke.

Alzheimer’s Society helped to recruit 110,000 walkers at 40 walks nationwide and 4,000 people organised their own walks, raising over 7.3 million pounds, with the help of Mr Banks.

Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK, with someone developing the condition every three minutes. But far too many people with dementia face it alone and there is an urgent need to improve care, offer help and understanding and find new treatments for people affected.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive officer at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We were deeply saddened to hear the news of Gordon’s passing. Over the years we worked together, I was impressed not only by Gordon Banks, the World Cup legend, but also by the man off the pitch who was a committed campaigner, determined to transform the lives of people affected by dementia.

“Gordon’s passion was inspired by his brother’s diagnosis of dementia and his World Cup-winning teammates affected by the disease. All of us who met him over the many years that he was our Ambassador, couldn’t fail to see and feel that passion every time he spoke at or attended an event in aid of Alzheimer’s Society to raise vital funds for our work.

“I’m honoured to have been able to call him an Ambassador of Alzheimer’s Society. I am also immensely grateful to Gordon’s family for asking that donations be given to Alzheimer’s Society in his memory so we can continue his work to support people with dementia. Gordon will continue to inspire me and us all at Alzheimer’s Society as we campaign for change, fund research to find a cure and support people living with dementia today and in the future.”