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26
Nov 2023
Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: 'I would never swap my problems for Alzheimer’s'
This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise £30,000 for a much-needed 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 those that need help this Christmas.
Today, Flora spoke to a couple who go to the wellbeing café.
Before Pauline Brown’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, she was a volunteer at Dementia Forward’s wellbeing café. Now she and her husband John, who is her carer, attend the café for a different reason.
Pauline tells us her story.
Pauline began volunteering at the wellbeing café – which takes place every Tuesday – 10 years ago. She spent eight years supporting those living with dementia and their carers.
However, the couple began to see symptoms of dementia around four years ago and received her diagnosis two years ago. Pauline said:
Luckily, the couple knew just where to go following the diagnosis and Pauline swapped her volunteer badge for a game of snakes and ladders. She added:
John, who also volunteered at the café for three years, said being surrounded by people who understand each other has helped them both.
Pauline and John lean on each other for support, but every type of dementia comes with its own set of challenges. He said:
The wellbeing café has provided a lifeline for the Browns and hundreds of other families across the Harrogate district.
John added:
The Dementia Forward team eases the pain as much as it can – but can only continue to do so with the help of charitable donations.
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 bettering the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.
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.
Please click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or your friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.
Thank you.
The NHS found that one in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK are living with dementia. If you need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.
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