Sir Cliff appeal raises £50,000

Sir Cliff hopes ways can be found to treat, prevent or cure dementia

A TV appeal by Sir Cliff Richard has raised £50,000 for research into Alzheimer's disease to be carried out by doctors at Newcastle University.

The pop star's BBC Lifeline appeal last month for the Alzheimer's Research Trust resulted in more than 1,000 people making a donation.

Sir Cliff, who lost his mother to the disease, is a patron of the charity.

In the film, he spoke of how he and his sisters "were robbed of the vibrant woman we once knew."

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the charity, said: "By openly sharing his personal experience of the disease, Sir Cliff has clearly struck a chord with the public and generated a great deal of support for dementia research.

"This appeal has encouraged many people to help us find an answer to this terrible disease and put a stop to the misery it causes."

The appeal has secured funding for dementia researchers at the university for a full year.