Outline:
The youngest person in Britain with dementia, known for having a ‘heart of gold’, has passed away at the age of 24.
After an illness, Andre Yarham, from Dereham inNorfolk, passed away on December 27, 2025, at a hospice.
Andre was identified as having frontotemporal dementia as a result of a protein mutation one month prior to his 23rd birthday.
Frontotemporal dementia is an uncommon type of dementia that impacts approximately 1 in 20 individuals diagnosed with the condition.
His mother, Sam Fairbairn, 49, honored her son by describing him as having a ‘heart of gold’ and has donated his brain toscienceto fight the ‘cruel’ illness.
She mentioned: “Andre was a mischievous boy with a wonderful sense of humor. He possessed a kind heart.”
There is insufficient understanding of the severity of this illness. There are various forms of dementia, each with distinct symptoms and behaviors.
We chose to give Andre’s brain for medical research.
If, in the future, Andre manages to assist one more family in gaining a few more precious years with a beloved person, it would be everything.
In 2022, Andre started displaying indications of memory loss.
He frequently displayed a vacant look on his face when addressed and occasionally failed to respond to people talking to him, as though he hadn’t heard them, his mother mentioned.
A year later, after undergoing an MRI scan, Sam was informed that Andre’s brain showed signs of a 70-year-old and he had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia.
What is dementia?
Dementia refers to a broad term encompassing the decline in memory, communication skills, and cognitive functions to an extent that it significantly affects everyday activities.
There are various forms of dementia, such asAlzheimer’s, vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal, and other types.
Symptoms of dementia may differbut examples include issues with short-term memory, keeping track of a handbag or wallet, paying bills, planning and cooking meals, and remembering meetings.
The symptoms of dementia develop gradually, with signs of mental decline beginning slowly and worsening progressively over time.
Dementia results from several illnesses that lead to harm to brain cells.
No single test can confirm if a person has dementia, but physicians can identify the condition by reviewing the patient’s medical background, conducting a physical check-up, performing lab tests, and observing behavioral changes.
Therapies and medications may occasionally be used to slow down the mental and daily living deterioration in individuals.
Source: Alzheimer’s Association
This conclusion caused Andre to be only 0.1% of the UK population.get a type of dementia diagnosisbelow the age of 65.
Andre depended on his mother to act as his full-time caregiver, assisting him with bathing, choosing his clothing, and preparing his meals and beverages.
Sam described it as a “devastating blow” to discover that her son had dementia, stating that it had been “very difficult” for the entire family, including her husband Alastair, 62, and their other son, Tyler, 23.
She mentioned: “Andre received his official diagnosis just prior to his 23rd birthday.”
At that time, he lost all ability to speak. He was only making sounds. The last six months were when we began to notice a significant drop.
He was moving less and less. Andre was having difficulty feeding himself, lifting a cup, and was becoming very unstable.
We were forced to take the tough choice of placing him in a nursing home, which he entered at the start of September.
He entered his room, which we had all decorated for him. Within a month, he was using a wheelchair and needed assistance to move.
In December 2025, Andre was admitted to the hospital due to an infection, according to Sam, who described it as “the beginning of a swift deterioration.”
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Sam stated: “He was less conscious of our presence.”
Andre ceased consuming food and beverages, and we were subsequently informed that he was nearing the end of his life.
Following three weeks spent in the hospital, Andre was transferred to Priscilla Bacon Lodge Hospice, where he remained for more than a week before passing away on December 27.
Andre, a big fan of wrestling, spent his youth playing rugby and football.school.
As a child, he started engaging inXbox games like Fifa and Call of Duty with his friends.
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He also worked at Lotus Cars, a producer of high-end vehicles inNorwichbut left after six months as he was having difficulty getting through the day, yet couldn’t explain what was wrong.
Andre’s family has contributed his brain to scientific research, hoping it will support studies on dementia.
Sam stated: “If individuals have worries regarding their loved ones and their recollections, there are examinations accessible and it’s advisable to consult your GP.”
We are grateful to all who have given us love and support throughout Andre’s journey.
Contact our news team via email atwebnews@.co.uk.
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