Novelist Pratchett says RBS bonuses could be spent on dementia patients

Sir Terry Pratchett suggested today that the multimillion-pound bonuses which the Royal Bank of Scotland will not be paying to staff could be spent helping to treat dementia patients.

The novelist made the comments after he was knighted by the Queen for his hugely popular Discworld series of comic fantasy books which have sold in their millions.

Sir Terry, 60, also described the "furore" that greeted the announcement he was suffering from dementia but said it had helped raise awareness about the illness.

Dressed in a top hat and morning suit the writer said: "It would appear to me that me getting up and saying 'I've got Alzheimer's', it did shake people, you cannot help but notice it's in the news an awful lot.

"The thing about Alzheimer's is there are few families that haven't been touched by the disease.

"People come up to me and talk about it and burst into tears, there's far more awareness about it and that was really what I hoped was going to happen.

"Everybody thinks the Government should be doing more about everything but just think how many of the bonuses which are quite rightly being dragged off certain people, just think to what good causes they could be put - wouldn't that be a lovely thought?"

Yesterday RBS bowed to intense political pressure and slashed its cash bonuses for staff by more than 90%.

The bank, which is now almost 70% state-owned after accepting £20 billion in taxpayer support, said that cash bonuses this year would total £175 million compared to around £2.5 billion last year.

Former TV newsreader John Suchet yesterday became the latest celebrity to speak out about dementia when he revealed yesterday the torment caused by his wife's Alzheimer's.

The broadcaster said the disease had "taken" Bonnie, his wife of 24 years, since she was diagnosed three years ago.

Sir Terry announced in December 2007 that he had been diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy, an illness he describes as "visual" Alzheimer's.

The writer said he had no serious symptoms but it was taking him longer to complete his latest book - Unseen Academicals - and that he had difficulty with certain tasks which involved his vision, such as putting on a shirt that had a sleeve rolled inside itself.

The author started his writing career as a local reporter for the Bucks Free Press and also joined the Western Daily Press and the Bath Chronicle before becoming a press officer for the Central Electricity Generating Board, with responsibility for three nuclear power stations, in 1980.

Pratchett published his first novel, The Carpet People, in 1971 but his career as a novelist really took off after the publication of the first Discworld book, The Colour Of Magic, in 1983.

The Discworld novels are set in a parallel universe supported on the back of four elephants that stand on the shell of a giant turtle, which bears more than a passing resemblance to our own.

The writer remains modest about his success which has seen him sell more than 55 million books worldwide and had his works translated into 33 languages.

He said: "Most writers don't make much money, they only happen to make some if they're standing in the station when the gravy train comes in.

"I thought I was lucky to make some money, then lucky to make a living, then lucky to be a millionaire."

Sir Terry joked that he was still the same but his word processor had got more expensive, adding: "When you work extremely hard and don't take any time off it's funny how extremely lucky you can be."

The writer is patron of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, whose chief executive, Rebecca Wood, praised the knight for his literary achievements and his campaign work.

She said: "Sir Terry's knighthood comes in recognition of his remarkable achievements as a writer and his books have been an enormous credit to the UK's literary heritage.

"We owe him a great debt as he has given a desperately needed voice to the 700,000 people in the UK with dementia."

Teenage swimming sensation Eleanor Simmonds said she was shocked to receive an MBE for her gold medal winning exploits at the Beijing Paralympic Games.

At just 13 Simmonds entered the history books as Britain's youngest individual Paralympic or Olympic medallist when she won golds in the 100m and 400m freestyle last year.

She said: "Last year was amazing, I will never forget it. But I still feel a normal person.

"Beijing was a bit of a surprise and I really went for the experience but I thought I could win something as I was going there as the world record holder in the 400m freestyle.

"But it's a really good feeling getting the MBE, it's good to know the Queen honours you and the country honours you.

"The Queen said 'well done' and that winning the two gold medals was really good. Then she asked if she would see me next week at the Paralympic reception."

The teenager, now 14, is also the youngest person to receive an award in the New Year or Queen's Birthday Honours Lists, the previous was Michelle Lewis presented with an MBE in 2002 when aged 19 for charitable work in Merseyside.

Eleanor - who was born with achondroplasia or dwarfism - is still training hard and is based in Swansea with mum Val, 56, while the rest of the family are in Walsall.

She fits school lessons and homework around hours in the pool but uses retail therapy to unwind.

She said: "I go shopping a lot and I like shopping for clothes and handbags - I've got nine."

Simmonds' coach former miner Billy Pye, 50, of Neath, Port Talbot, who is British Swimming head disability coach, also picks up an MBE for services to sport.

He saw eight of his swimmers scoop 13 medals including nine golds at the Beijing Paralympic Games.

Mr Pye said the medal was reward for all the hard work of himself and his swimmers.

He said: "Our motto is - coming second is not an option. Swimmers do a lot of work, two hours in the (pool in the) morning two hours in the afternoon then in the gym seven days a week, it takes its toll. You have to have the backing of your family.

"The MBE is a great honour and is recognition for my family and it's great not just for athletes with disabilities but sport in general."

Acclaimed film-maker Michael Apted, whose credits include Gorillas In The Mist and Amazing Grace, was made a companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George - awarded for outstanding service in a foreign country.

The director receives the honour for his work in the film and television industries in America.

In 2003 Apted became the first Briton to be appointed president of the Directors' Guild Of America and later this year begins filming the third movie in the Narnia series - The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader.

The film-maker said it was "wonderful not to be forgotten" as he was now based full-time in America.

He added that he was most proud of his long-running and acclaimed documentary series following the lives of a group of Britons which began in 1964 and was called 7 Up.

Apted said the next instalment, called 56 Up, will be screened in 2012.

He added: "Everybody watching finds a character or situation they can relate to. It's about the real drama of ordinary life - getting old, bringing up kids, and living."

Motor racing legend John Surtees, the only man to win world titles on both two wheels and four, picked up an OBE for services to motor sport and charity.

Surtees, 75, of Lingfield, Surrey, won seven world championships on bikes between 1956 and 1960 before moving to racing cars.

Then, in 1964, he became the Formula One world champion for Ferrari.

He had already been awarded an MBE in 1959.

The 75-year-old recently suffered a heart attack but joked: "I've had four extra pipes fitted and I've had my 75-year service."

Since giving up his active race career in 1972, Surtees has worked tirelessly on behalf of the sport, flying the flag for the industry and campaigning for more support for up-and-coming young drivers.

In his stint as a director of the British Racing Drivers' Club, he invested considerable time and effort into the introduction of a karting programme leading to an opportunity in cars.

Mr Surtees said he had known Lewis Hamilton for many years and wanted others to follow his example.

He said: "I want to see a 'ladder' introduced that kids can climb if they have the ability.

"Lewis has that ability but also the right car and the right team - but you can't do it if you don't get the opportunities.

"We need heroes, whether it's in the 100 metres or Lewis Hamilton - they are necessary for the nation to give everyone some zip."

Charity worker Gordon Jenney, from Beverley near Kingston Upon Hull, was awarded an MBE by the Queen for voluntary service in the East Riding or Yorkshire.

Mr Jenney, 73, has been a member of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes for 55 years.

The order supports a number of causes in the area, with money mainly coming out of members' own pockets. This year it is supporting Humber Rescue.

He said: "I'm absolutely gobsmacked and amazed to receive the MBE, I'm so proud just to be nominated."

Great-grandfather Mr Jenney, who has been secretary of the local branch for 50 years, said: "We help local families and do what we can. It's something I've just enjoyed doing.

"My family are delighted and I've brought 15 of them down here to London with me so that's great."Novel