Entertainment evening raises £8k for dementia research

More than 400 people attended an entertainment evening in Southampton in order to raise money for dementia research.

Bert's Big Bash was held in memory of Bert Craig, who died last year with Alzheimer's disease aged 70, and was organised by Bert's son Ray.

St Mary Stadium, home of Southampton FC, hosted the event, which featured a mix of Bollywood, belly dancing, jazz, comedy a choir and a Nat King Cole impersonator.

More than £8,000 was raised from the event, money which will go to the Alzheimer's Research Trust to help in their bid to find a cure for the disease.

Ray Craig explained his inspiration for the evening: "My dad was only 56 when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

"This event allowed us to do something positive to raise money and awareness of the need for more funding into this dreadful disease and give hope to other people."

More than one million people in the UK will be living with dementia by the year 2025, according to the Alzheimer's Society.