ALTON man Terry Eccott has won this year’s award for The Most Exceptional Contribution by a Person Living with Dementia.

A prolific campaigner for the Alzheimer’s Society since his diagnosis with vascular dementia in 2013, Mr Eccott was presented with his trophy by former Labour MP Hazel Blears during the National Dementia Care Awards ceremony in Brighton on November 8, organised by the Journal of Dementia Care and attended by 500 professionals staff working with people with dementia, in hospitals, nursing and care homes, day units and the community.

In making the award - in one of 16 categories, independent judges Sally Knocker, of Dementia Care Matters, and Barbara Stephens, of Dementia Pathfinders, said of Mr Eccott: “Terry is a passionate man on a mission to make a difference to the lives of others. He has reached thousands of people through his media gigs and speaking engagements using his natural talent and genuine warmth.”

Hazel Blears, who helped establish the Salford University Institute for Dementia, added: “Terry is a remarkable person whose efforts have made a great difference.”

Jayne Connery, founder of Care Campaign for the Vulnerable, said: “When Terry contacted Care Campaign asking to support us it didn’t take too long to think about it, his reputation as a strong advocate for better care and understanding of dementia is outstanding and represents everything we work and stand for.”

Collecting his award on stage to a standing ovation, Mr Eccott spoke passionately about his views on better care for those living with dementia, saying: “ I hope I can use this award to open more doors to raise even more awareness of the disease, which in the long term will not only help the people diagnosed with dementia but also the many carers who are often forgotten but who also live with the disease 24/7.”