Party leaders have backed the Daily Mail's dementia carers appeal with Kemi Badenoch praising the 'important lifeline' it will provide to families.

The Conservative leader urged readers to give generously to help Britain's unpaid carers look after loved ones with the disease.

Nigel Farage, of Reform UK, described our Dementia Carers Together initiative as 'brilliant' and 'exactly the sort of practical, no-nonsense help Britain needs'.

Meanwhile, Sir Ed Davey, from the Liberal Democrats, said it could make 'a world of difference' to those in desperate need of support.

Their backing follows that of Prime Minister Andy Burnham, whose dad Roy died from Alzheimer's in September aged 85 and who told the Mail he believes his own family would have benefited from the sessions the donations will fund.

Dementia Carers Together will deliver new nationwide six-week courses for friends and relatives of people living with the disease.

Delivered in partnership with Alzheimer's Society, the sessions will give carers vital support and information about their rights and the services available to them.

They will allow attendees to meet others in a similar situation and help to address the loneliness, exhaustion and overwhelming responsibilities many face following a loved one's diagnosis.

Mrs Badenoch said: 'Losing someone you love is always tough, but watching them slowly fade away can be even harder.

'For families who devote their time to looking after a husband, wife, parent or grandparent, life can also be exhausting, frightening and very lonely.

'I want to support the Daily Mail and Alzheimer's Society's campaign because it will give an important lifeline to families caring for loved ones with the disease.

'Those people should know they're not alone and that help is there if they need it. I hope readers will give generously to make it possible.'

There are currently 2.5million people in the UK who provide some form of care for people with dementia, and four out of five of them have reached crisis point at least once.

Mr Farage said: 'I'm proud to back this brilliant campaign. Right across this country there are ordinary, decent people doing the hardest job of all – caring day and night for a loved one with dementia, often with precious little help.

'Raising this money so the Alzheimer's Society can give these family carers proper courses to understand the disease, is exactly the sort of practical, no-nonsense help Britain needs.

'Putting the spotlight on these quiet heroes through Christmas and beyond is long overdue. 

'They deserve every bit of backing we can give them.'

And Sir Ed said: 'When dementia hits someone you love, you are suddenly left trying to navigate a heartbreaking illness and a confusing system without any clear direction.

'People caring for loved ones with dementia deserve far more support, and these new courses offered by the Alzheimer's Society could make a world of difference – not just in managing day-to-day care, but also reassuring carers that they are not alone.'

Mr Burnham previously told the Mail how his mother was left 'sinking' under the unbearable strain of looking after his dementia-stricken father as the Prime Minister backed our carers campaign.

He admitted his family had become so fixated on his father's condition that they overlooked the toll on his mother - and may have waited too long before moving him into a care home.

In an emotional interview, Mr Burnham said there needs to be much more support and appreciation for unpaid carers, such as his mother Eileen, who looked after his dad Roy.

The PM said his dad was unaware his middle son had become Prime Minister. 

Michelle Dyson, chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, said: 'Dementia touches the lives of millions of people, and its impact is felt across our whole society.

'This cross-party support shows that dementia is something we can all unite around, as one of the biggest health and care challenges of our time.

'We hope everyone will get behind the Dementia Carers Together Appeal so that more carers are able to access the help and support they need.'