WATCH: Stephen Fry narrates a moving advert to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s

Over 850,000 people in the UK have dementia

Published 15th Nov 2016

Today (16th November) Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) have launched Santa Forgot, a moving campaign highlighting the effects of dementia and raising awareness of Alzheimer's.

The heartbreaking, yet inspirational advert has been created by Aardman Animations, famous for their work on Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Chicken Run, and follows the story of a young girl called Freya who is growing up in a world where Santa doesn't travel the world delivering presents on Christmas Eve.

Santa, like many others across the world is suffering from Alzheimer’s and has forgotten how to do his important job.

When Freya finds out about Santa she decides to visit the redundant elves at the North Pole and set them to work researching on a way to fix Santa.

© Santa Forgot/ARUK

Stephen Fry donated his time to voice the advert and said, "From the moment I was told about Santa Forgot I wanted to lend my support, it is an inspiring and beautiful take on a Christmas tale."

The advert also features the voice of Ciana, the daughter of an Alzheimer’s sufferer. Ciana's father contracted early onset Alzheimer’s at the age of just 46 and died in 2013 at the age of 51.

WATCH: Santa Forgot »

Over 850,000 people in the UK suffer from some form of dementia. Earlier this year Alzheimer’s sufferer Ted McDermott and his son Simon became internet stars after Simon uploaded a video of their version of carpool karaoke.

The video went on to raise over £115,000 for ARUK and Ted even recorded a song which was released around the world.

Ted and Simon then went on to win a Pride of Britain award earlier this month presented by Cliff Richard and Joan Collins.