Two Nottingham Forest footballers ensured there was a high profile start for a new village based charity which aims to give a better quality of life to dementia sufferers and their families.
Midfielder Chris Cohen – himself a Ruddington resident – and defender Danny Fox attended the press launch of Bloomin’ Dementia yesterday (pictured top with fundraiser volunteers Jennie Foster and Andy Hallam) to highlight some of the issues faced by people with dementia and by those who care for them. Local media turned out in force at ‘The Hub’ – their new base at 4 Easthorpe Street, to hear about ‘United in Football’ – a partnership between Nottingham Forest Community Trust and The QPR Community Trust which is raising funds for Blooming’ Dementia and ‘Just For Stan’. The Stan in question is Stan Bowles – who played for BOTH teams during his career – but who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s aged just sixty six. Fans attending The City Ground this afternoon to see the two sides face one another in The Championship will be encouraged to donate to the good causes.
Even before it officially became a charity last month, Blooming’ Dementia was given a cash boost by the “Walking with Dementia” event on Sunday August 27th – a 5K sponsored walk from the Forest Recreation Ground to Nottingham Forest FC organised by event fundraiser Des Oldham and Andy Hallam. Some of the club’s legendary players took part along with dementia sufferers themselves and even Nottingham actress and patron Vicky McClure (pictured right with Des) – altogether raising almost four thousand pounds.
Now the charity can offer this dedicated space here in Ruddington where anyone can just call in for information and advice – with a special lounge area decked out in a 1960s style where it’s hoped people with dementia may feel a little more at home. They will be starting a pop in morning with tea and biscuits on Friday November 24th.
Founder and trustee Justine Hallam told RUDDINGTON.info “I was born in Ruddington and wanted to do something for the local community. There are people out there who need support, especially families, and that’s how Bloomin’ Dementia started. We went to Nick (Tegerdine), whose background is with charities, and he said he’d help us set up. As well as raising money ourselves we are also funded by LexisNexis and Great Northern Inns, who are supporting us in getting started.”
Andy told us that lots more famous faces are in store to help boost the charity and those whom it supports: “Teddy Sheringham is doing a fundraiser at the Royal Concert Hall with us, Vicky McClure‘s going to do an evening, also Johnny Metgod ,Frank Clark, and Terry Hennessey – who’s actually coming to Ruddington.”
So please watch this space!
