Emdad Rahman raised funds for Running Down Dementia (Photo: Alzheimer’s Research UK)

Nadine Osman

An award-winning community worker is the star of a new charity video by the UK’s leading dementia research charity. Emdad Rahman, raised over £100 completing Running Down Dementia (RDA), a campaign by Alzheimer’s Research UK, last year.

The challenge encourages participants to run 100km over summer and raise £100 while linking their running app to the RDA website and competing in virtual leader boards.

Rahman is a dedicated advocate of RDA and runs across London wearing his RDA t-shirt and spreading the word about the challenge while posting pictures of his journey on social media.

The 41-year-old became passionate about the cause after seeing the devastating impact dementia has on families where he lives in Barking and Tower Hamlets where he works and volunteers. He also experienced dementia first hand when his relative was diagnosed. Emdad, who works as a civil servant, is a firm believer in inclusivity and said “frankly you can hop, skip or dance” your way to RDA’s 100km challenge.

He has been recognised for his work within the community: he is an MBE, a freeman of the City of London, and was a Paralympic torchbearer in London 2012, a Queen’s Baton Relay baton bearer at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and recently won The Muslim News Awards for Excellence Al-Biruni in Community Relations for his charity efforts.

He has just recorded a video to help Alzheimer’s Research UK achieve its goal of a world free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.

In a statement to The Muslim News Rahman spoke of his pride in working to raise for Alzheimer’s Research: “It was absolutely fantastic shooting this campaign video. For many years dementia has been ignored by large parts of our community and even now it is unfortunate that some people feel stigmatised by the terrible effect dementia has on their lives. I’m very proud to have played a small part in raising such wonderful awareness and the response from everyone has been beyond terrific.”

Alzheimer’s Research UK Sporting Events Manager, Kenneth Foreman, told The Muslim News: “Emdad has been a wonderful advocate, championing Running Down Dementia and raising money along the way. We can’t thank him enough.”