Yorkshire singer’s tribute to gran

Rupert, 25, a former student at Leeds Metropolitan University, released a charity single and video in April, entitled Always, and held a concert at Ilkley Playhouse in June.

His fund-raising efforts are a tribute to his grandma Eileen who died while suffering from the disease two years ago, aged 87.

“I was very close to my grandma and it was heartbreaking to see her struggle with Alzheimer’s for the last seven years of her life,” he said.

“She was a sweet, loving and vibrant lady but this devastating disease slowly changed her personality.

“Day by day we lost a little more of the person we loved. In the end we were strangers to her

“I was shocked to learn how little money is available for research to find new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.”

Jodie Vaughan, for Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This is a tremendous result and we can’t thank Rupert enough for his hard work. This money will pay for nearly two months of research.”