This year, on Leap Day − 29 February − Rare Disease Day, we have an exciting new fund to launch: Rare Dementia Support. This has been created by the merger of two already-existing funds: the FTD Support Group Fund and the Myrtle Ellis Fund, and has been done with the aim to increase fundraising and extend the support service further, throughout the UK and beyond.

We’d love to raise more money to help support even more people with rare and devastating forms of dementia, along with their families, friends and healthcare professionals. The Rare Dementia Support service is organised by the Dementia Research Centre at The National Hospital, and runs specialist support group services for individuals living with, or affected by, a rare dementia diagnosis.

Five types of rare dementia are supported by this service: frontotemporal dementia (FTD), posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), primary progressive aphasia (PPA), familial frontotemporal dementia (fFTD), and familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD), all of which have a devastating effect on the individual, family and friends. Find out more and donate here.

We’re holding an event to officially launch the fund on Monday 29 February, 6.30pm-8.30pm, 33 Queen Square. We have limited places, but if you would like to attend, please email with your details.

We have some spaces left for this year’s hugely popular Prudential Ride London, 30-31 July. This amazing 100-mile event kicks off at the Olympic stadium in Stratford, taking you out into the stunning greenbelt countryside and back into London, passing iconic landmarks for a thrilling gala finish on the Mall. Want to take part and raise funds for Queen Square? Sign up today and get your free fundraising pack and cycling jersey!

In October you could be joining The National Brain Appeal and veteran trekkers Douglas Brown, Graham Fryatt and Ron Gainsford on a challenging trek through the iconic Grand Canyon. One of the seven natural wonders of the world, experiencing its vastness should be on everyone’s bucket list!

This five-day adventure will take you into the heart of the Grand Canyon at Havasu Canyon, where we will explore this incredible landscape. If you’ve always wanted to see Las Vegas, we’ll be spending our final night on the strip before flying home.

Want to join us? Find all the info you need here.

• Sunday 13 March: The London Medical Orchestra is putting on a concert - The Planets - with all proceeds going to The Rare Dementia Support Fund. Tickets cost £10/£12 on the door/£8 concessions/£2 under 16s. Starts at 6pm at St Mary Brookfield, Dartmouth Park Rd, London NW5 1SL. More info and ticket info here. Tickets also available on the door.
• Thursday 28 April: Charity gig with popular headliners The Rhythm and Blues Brothers supported by Them Freakqualisers. Tickets: £10/£5 students at Richard Mully’s Basement Bar, UCL Student Union, 136 Gower Street, London WC1E 6BP.

For more events, personal stories and how you can get involved, please visit nationalbrainappeal.org, or follow us on Twitter @brainappeal and Facebook at fb/TheNationalBrainAppeal

Theresa, Marcelle, Brooke, Laura, Cara, Louise, Leigh and Tina