A FOOTBALL legend has become an ambassador for a Colchester care home and is helping to raise awareness of dementia to residents.

Former Colchester United star Bobby Hunt, who played 149 times for the U’s between 1959 and 1964, was invited to an afternoon tea at Foxburrow Grange.

Bobby was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2015 and was happy to talk to residents about his diagnosis to raise the profile of dementia.

Staff said Bobby was grateful for the fuss they made of him as a way of saying thank you for raising the profile of the home throughout the year.

They presented him with a trophy and Bobby said he too benefits from attending events and activities at the home and the practical support from the staff.

Natelie Bessey, who helped organise the event, said: “We really want to promote this element of business because so often people just cope with the impact of dementia until it’s at crisis point.

“It would be so nice for people to join in our events and get to know what care is about at the early stages of diagnosis as Bobby has done to help cope with the life-changing impacts.”