GP and columnist Dr Ciara Kelly of RTE’s Operation Transformation teamed up recently with Evelyn Swan, a dedicated volunteer and Richard Dolan, a long-term carer to launch this year’s Alzheimer Tea Day.
The charity fundraiser, in aid of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI), will take place on May 7.
Now in its 21st year, the fundraiser has seen thousands of people host tea parties in their homes, offices and schools raising vital funds for the ASI.
The Society provides essential support to the 48,000 people and 50,000 family carers living with dementia in this country.
All money raised locally will stay locally, and all donations made at each local Tea Day event will go towards maintaining services in the local community.
Dr Kelly said she was delighted to support the event.
“Alzheimer’s dementia is becoming more and more common in our communities with prevalence rates set to treble in a generation,
? she said.
“The campaign helps raise vital funds and awareness of a condition that affects so many families.
?
Since the very first Alzheimer’s Tea Day in 1994 over
?¬7 million has been raised and gone back into supporting local communities.
ASI is the national leader in understanding and providing dementia-specific supports and services. Each year the ASI provides more than one million hours of community-based dementia-specific care throughout Ireland.
Chief executive of the ASI, Gerry Martin said:
“Last year Alzheimer’s Tea Day raised
?¬430,000, thanks to our wonderful Tea Day hosts and all those who attended and supported events around the country.
“From this campaign we have made a real and lasting difference to the lives of people in local communities living with dementia.
?
To host a Tea Day Party in your area, visit www.teaday.ie or call 1800 719 820.