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04
Dec 2023
The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: ‘This group has changed my life’
This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise money for a minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district.
The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.
Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.
Today, we talked to member of the young onset dementia group.
Before being diagnosed with young onset dementia, members of Dementia Forward's Time Out Together group were just like anyone else. One was the captain of Leeds Rhinos rugby, another a high-flying musician, and one a secretary for the Bank of England.
But everything changed before they reached the age of 65.
This is how one member, Ally, described Time Out Together.
The group supports people living with young onset dementia – a form of the disease which affects people under the age of 65.
They meet every Wednesday and begin their day with coffee, cakes, and a catch-up. They laugh and chat and escape the evil disease they're living with – even just temporarily.
Ally, who joined the group around nine months ago, said:
Time Out Together members visit the beach, nature reserves, play golf, visit art galleries, go on walking trips, go to the theatre and much more.
The purpose of the group is to socialise with people who understand them. The disease is robs these people of their former selves every day, but Dementia Forward works tirelessly to combat this.
Kev, the group’s volunteer bus-driver, said:
Time Out Together is helping those living with young onset dementia and their carers every week, but the reality is that these people are fighting a downhill battle.
That’s why we need your help to ensure that the vital minibus service continues, and that people carry on receiving the care they need.
Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.
Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and improving the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.
Please give generously to those who need our help this Christmas. Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or a friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.
Thank you.
For those that need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 03300578592 to speak to a helpline adviser.
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