Sir Alex supports National Playlist Day

Friday 20 September 2024 16:30

Manchester United icon Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed his support for National Playlist Day, which celebrates the power of personalised music for those living with dementia.

During a candid and moving interview with BBC Breakfast, the 82-year-old opens up on the fear of losing his memory and admits he works hard to retain his mental sharpness.

“I'm 82, obviously I worry about it,” says Sir Alex. “Genuinely my memory is quite good, praise the lord, touch wood - I don't know if it will stay that way. But I worry about it, 100 per cent. I would be lying if I felt I was anywhere different.”

Sir Alex adds: “I read a lot, I do quizzes, and I think that helps, there is the YouTube quizzes with 100 questions and if I don't get 70 per cent I'm struggling.”

 

The idea of National Playlist Day is to encourage people to create a playlist of music that reminds you or others of special moments in their lives.

According to the campaign's official website – which you can visit here - decades of scientific research has shown that music can be a lifeline for people living with dementia. And listening to our all-time favourite songs has psychological benefits for us all.

One of the songs on Sir Alex's playlist is My Own True Love by Margaret Whiting, the theme from the 1939 film Gone with the Wind.

It has a particular resonance for the boss, as it reminds him of his late wife, Lady Cathy, who he met in 1964 while working at a typewriter factory. 

Speaking to the BBC, Sir Alex said: "When I went to see Gone with the Wind I would be only 21, 22. We were courting at the time. She was a great wife, fantastic mother, a great grandmother. She was the leader of the band, no doubt about that.”

 

The impact of dementia has been felt at United in recent years following the deaths of club icons Nobby Stiles and Sir Bobby Charlton.

Denis Law, another beloved club hero, was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's and vascular dementia in 2021.

“It's a present-day challenge for all of us,” said Sir Alex to the BBC. “I think we [all] know someone close to us who has got dementia.

"I think the main bearing on this is their family - we're outside the door of it all. They've great wives, fantastic wives - and they've had to put up with all the burden of it.”

Visit www.NationalPlaylistDay.org to learn more about the campaign.

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