Following a year of fundraising events – including skydives, bake sales and auctions – Zodiac Seats UK has handed over more than £5,600 to the UK’s leading dementia research charity.

Staff at the Cwmbran branch of the company voted for Alzheimer's Research UK to become their charity of the year for 2016.

Throughout the partnership, the company organised lots of different fundraising activities. One of the most popular events was a Skydive Day which raised nearly £2,000 for the charity.

There are currently 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia and this number is expected to grow to one million by 2025. With no treatments able to stop or slow the underlying diseases, Alzheimer's Research UK scientists are working tirelessly to find new treatments and preventions that could change the outlook for people with dementia.

Sian Williams, HR director at Zodiac Seats UK, said: “We’re delighted that we have been able to raise so much for Alzheimer's Research UK. Everybody really got stuck into the fundraising throughout the year, making it evident that it was a cause close to many people’s hearts. It was a great way to bring people together and we’re glad it was such a success.”

Employee Franceska Wilks, who took part in a skydive, said: “Alzheimer's Research UK has a big place in my heart as I used to be a support worker, looking after people with dementia. The job was heartbreaking but also very rewarding. I volunteered to help raise funds for this great charity and when looking for suggestions for an event, we decided to take part in the skydive. I was joined by my colleagues Jack Sainsbury and Sharna Penny. It was an awesome and amazing experience – but also very scary!”

She added: “We must continue to fight against dementia and find a cure.”

Zoe Baggott, regional fundraising officer at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: “What a fantastic effort from everybody at Zodiac Seats UK, who have helped to bring their total to more than £5,600. From the very start of the partnership, the whole branch was incredibly enthusiastic and eager to fundraise for Alzheimer's Research UK – and all their efforts have paid off. We rely on donations to be able to fund our work, and it’s thanks to partnerships like these that we can continue our vital research.”