David Cameron wishes the Admiral Nurse Campaign ‘every success’ as it nears its £100k target.

A ‘fantastic’ community effort to bring a dementia specialist to the Sid Valley has been praised by the Prime Minister.

David Cameron has this week written to the Admiral Nurse Campaign committee to commend their efforts to support an estimated 700 people in the area who are living with dementia.

In partnership with the Herald, The Sid Valley Memory Café launched a £100,000 campaign last May to provide the first Admiral Nurse in Devon.

The appeal has received large scale backing from the community, Sidmouth Town Council and MP Hugo Swire.

Since the launch, scores of community events and fundraisers have been held to take the campaign close to its six-figure target.

This week, the Prime Minister wrote in glowing terms: “I was pleased to read of the recognition and positive reaction your fundraising, to bring an Admiral Nurse to your area, has generated.

“The Government recognises the important role that different models of care - including Admiral Nurses - play in providing care and support for people with dementia and the positive impact this brings to them, their carers and families.

“I am sure your efforts will continue to be an inspiration for many and I wish you every success in achieving your target as well as in your future endeavours.”

Rachel Johnstone, chairman of the memory café, said it was ‘wonderful’ for the appeal to receive the recognition from the Prime Minister, who was told about the campaign by MP Hugo Swire.

She added: “It is testament to the impact we are having not just in our community, but beyond.

“We hope that our approach to fundraise for a specialist dementia nurse to help families face dementia will inspire other communities to take action and transform dementia care for those around them.”

Adrian Ford, trustee for the charity, said it was encouraging to read that Mr Cameron wanted to transform dementia care by 2020.

In response to the letter, Mr Swire spoke of his long-standing support for the campaign - which he called ‘an important issue to the Sid Valley’.

Mr Swire said: “It is wonderful news that even the Prime Minister has now recognised what a worthwhile and important campaign this is. I warmly welcome his support and I do hope that this intervention will help the campaign raise even more money.”