Scottish Widows has raised ?4000 for the Alzheimer’s Society (Isle of Man).
The money was raised after colleagues held dress-down days, raffles, an afternoon tea, a Taste the World event, a picnic in the grounds of its former Victoria Road headquarters and a Mad Hatter’s tea party at its new offices in Evergreen House, Circular Road.
The company has also hosted a dementia information session, led by dementia support worker Sue Walker.
The charity’s manager Grahame Bell said: ‘We are enormously grateful to Scottish Widows for this generous donation. ?4000 makes a very real difference to our work and helps us guarantee delivering services to those living with dementia, their families and carers.
‘All money raised stays on the Island and the people of the Isle of Man have been extremely generous in their support, especially over these past 18 months when we’ve been trying to raise our profile to promote greater dementia awareness and alert the public to the services we can provide.’
Mr Bell said the society was keen to recruit more volunteers. ‘We’re looking for all kinds of volunteers, including befrienders to people living with dementia. Befriending is provided one-to-one with each case risk assessed and volunteers given training and support from experienced befriending managers.’ He added: ‘Befriending is fundamental to the society’s approach that you can live well with dementia.’
Sue Walker said: ‘This is a fantastic sum to have received from Scottish Widows. It will help us in our work to help change attitudes and promote greater understanding.’
Scottish Widows managing director Juan Clarke said: ‘CMI staff have really got behind the Alzheimer’s Society’s campaign to raise awareness of the condition and the support that’s available in the island and I would like to thank them for all the hard work they have put into the fundraising. Special thanks must go to my colleague Jude Hall who was instrumental in arranging, and indeed baking for, the various tea parties and picnics that we held which were very well supported.
‘Statistics show that around 850,000 people live with dementia in the UK and that dementia costs the UK ?26.3 billion a year. Research also indicates that one in three people over the age of 65 will develop dementia. Against the background of an ageing population the Alzheimer’s Society is helping to keep people with dementia connected to their lives and their loved ones, while through our fundraising initiatives we at Scottish Widows would like to think we are playing our part in supporting the society’s belief that “life doesn’t end when dementia begins.”’
Forthcoming Alzheimer’s Society events include a memory walk along Douglas promenade on Sunday September 13th between 2 and 5pm (registration from 1pm). ‘It’s an opportunity to remember those lost to the disease and support loved ones living with dementia,’ explained Mr Bell.
Monday September 14th sees the start of an all-island week-long road show which will be in a different part of the Island every day, providing information about dementia and the services offered.
The Alzheimer’s Society (Isle of Man) is offering support for carers who often get overlooked. The carers information and support programme provides carers with facts about dementia, legal and benefits information, behavioural changes and the importance of looking after themselves. The programme also provides opportunities for carers to share experiences.
To find out more call 613181 or email IsleofMan@alzheimers.org.uk.
Photo - Scottish Widows Juan Clarke presents Sue Walker of the Alzheimer’s Society (Isle of Man) with a cheque for ?4046, raised by the staff. Also pictured are Scottish Widows Jude Hall, Veronique Fleureau and Nick Smith. Picture David Lloyd Jones.
