Louise Hanen

When Louise's father was diagnosed with early onset dementia in his mid-fifties, Louise realised that there was very little support within the NHS to help people like him. She set up the Acorn Committee of fundraisers eleven years ago and since then has raised £700,000 for the local Alzheimer's Society and for research into scleroderma at Leeds General Infirmary. She has pioneered a service for younger people with dementia in the Harrogate area which Acorn initially funded before the PCT took over. She has obtained a lottery grant for a befriending service and is tireless in supporting people with dementia and their carers in the Ripon and Harrogate area. Through her leadership, the Acorn Committee have organised balls, bike rides, tennis tournaments and golf days, cookery demonstrations and lunches as well as running half marathons, walking 40 miles in 24 hours and cycling 100k. She is an inspirational leader who always, always has time for people who need her support. She has just won a Local Hero award for her outstanding contribution to the local community and I cannot think of anyone more worthy to represent this area with the Olympic torch.I was instrumental in obtaining a lottery grant for a befriending service which now covers the whole of North Yorkshire.