Martin King has thanked viewers up and down the country following the incredible reaction to his documentary We Need To Talk About Dementia.
The show aired on Sunday evening, taking a look back how a dementia diagnosis impacted his late mum Christina’s life – as well as the family as a whole.
Since airing, Virgin Media asked people to #DonateforDementia with the money going towards The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. This morning, this sum reached €1million.
“I just want to thank each and every one of you who have donated to the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland,” said Martin.
“Your donations will go a very long way to help people suffering with Alzheimer’s and Dementia along with helping their families too.”
The presenter revealed revisiting family memories in the documentary was incredibly tough – but necessary, as it brought much-needed awareness.
“While making the documentary, We Need To Talk About Dementia’, I learned so much about Dementia that I hadn’t known when my own mother was going through it,” he said.
“But the most important thing that I learned was there is a whole lot of living to do even when diagnosed.
“Opening up about this conversation and talking about it, breaking down the stigma is what needs to happen.”
Sharing his heartfelt appreciated for everyone involved, Martin added, “A huge thank you has got to go to Denice McNamara, the Producer, Pete Killane the Director and all of the team who helped make this documentary.
“Massive thanks also to all of those who feature in the documentary too, I met some truly inspirational people along the way.
“My sisters Clare and Eithne, the rest of my family and my wife Jenny and the kids.”