Coronation Street star partners with Bristol dementia charity for new film

Coronation Street star Stephanie Beacham has partnered with a Bristol dementia charity as part of the new film, Grey Matter.

BRACE Dementia Research funds much needed Alzheimer’s and dementia research across the West Country.

The role of Peg in Grey Matter is played by Beacham, who was the character Martha Fraser in Coronation Street and also appeared in Bad Girls and Strictly Come Dancing.

Beacham's film and TV career spans six decades and she starred in 1980s series Dynasty alongside Joan Collins.

Grey Matter shows the challenges and triumphs of living with Alzheimer’s, while being supported by her teenage granddaughter, Chloe (Eloise Smyth). 

Beacham, 76, said: "Having witnessed my father’s descent into Alzheimer’s, this film is very personal to me.

 "It's one in two of us who will be affected by dementia, and last year it was the leading fatal disease in the UK over anything else.

"We need to change that, and that can only be done through more research."

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BRACE is currently funding research into earlier Alzheimer’s and dementia diagnosis at UWE and the University of Bath.

Chris Williams, CEO of BRACE added: “We’re delighted to be in partnership with Stephanie Beacham and the film Grey Matter. 

"BRACE welcomes Stephanie’s support to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and dementia; and the charity’s mission to find a cure for dementia.”

Grey Matter is available to watch at the Scott Cinema in Henleaze on Tuesday 27th, Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th February, with more screenings to follow. 

The charity was founded in the 1980s and was initially set up just a couple of streets away from the cinema in Henleaze.