BT staff raise cash for dementia
Enterprising members of staff from BT recently raised £1,120 from a tombola and cake sale and donated 50 per cent of the funds to Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin’s Dementia Respite Service at Withywood in Shrewsbury.
Organisers of the fundraiser, Jane Lewis and Tracey Binny, were delighted to spend an afternoon at Withywood, bringing with them a gift of a play parachute and wearing something red in support of the day’s Valentine theme and fully involving themselves in a range of activities with members.
From reading poems to painting, card-making to cake decorating, singing to table top ball games, a quiz and of course tea and chocolates, they enjoyed plenty of interactive fun throughout the afternoon with members.
Both have direct experience of people living with dementia. Jane said: "Tracey and I are thrilled to have had an opportunity to visit Withywood; it has been both a privilege and a pleasure to spend time with such lovely people and to see, first-hand, an afternoon of respite in action. Members are clearly happy here, the facilities are truly impressive and the staff and volunteer helpers are outstanding.
"I know my colleagues at BT will be very happy for the money we have raised to be donated to support the wonderful service the Dementia Respite Service team are providing."
Emma Wilde, Dementia senior co-ordinator, was delighted to receive the boost to funds: "Huge thanks to Jane and Tracey, not only for their fundraising efforts but also for their generosity of spirit and level of enjoyment they clearly brought to our day centre members when they visited.
"They fully immersed themselves in the activities, added enthusiasm, laughter and a real sense of fun to the afternoon and I am in no doubt their experience will have confirmed that their wonderful donation will be well spent on important resources to support our Dementia Respite Service activities."
