Daniella Paolozzi
DP Marketing Communications Glitter-beard-athon Fundraistravaganza! page
Fundraising for Alzheimer's Research UK
Story
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Glitter-beard-athon Fundraistravaganza!
2nd of July, Northampton
DP Marketing Communications are going to be adding a bit of sparkly joy to beards across Northampton on the 2nd of July.
We have an application pending to break the Guinness World Record for the most amount of glitter beards created in 1 hour at The Northampton Town Festival ( The Race Course Northampton).
All sparkle and decorations to be provided - If you or anyone you know woudl like to have their beard glitter-fied or if you would like to help with the event please contact hello@dpmarketingcommunications.com .
Thank you for your support of Alzheimers Research and for spreading sparkly joy!
So why are we raising money for Alzheimers Research UK using glittery beards? Director of DP Marketing Communications Explains...
"I lost my granddad Alfie Paolozzi to vascular dementia back in 2010 and whilst other charities (also worthwhile) ) have always received a lot of media coverage, I wanted to think of a way to raise money for a cause that was currently in such desperate need of funding and that was really close to my heart.
My granddad was diagnosed when he was quite young at the age of 59 and fought with dementia for 15 years. It must have been difficult for him beyond description but I think that his humorous and talkative personality helped him through in the early days. I always like to remember him for the smart, witty, charismatic, well dressed and gentlemanly personality that he had. Even during his illness he was always joking and being a general wind up merchant (which he did incredibly well). Never nastily mind you, he was a kind man with a lot of integrity. For example, distracting us and hiding bits of our dinners amongst other general pranks - haha, he gave them back eventually!
One of the funniest moments that I can remember was when I was about 10 years old. My friends and I were performing on stage at one of my younger siblings christenings. Despite his illness,suddenly he was up there on stage with us, spinning round cowboy style dancing to Steps 5,6,7,8! I am so glad that we have this on video - capturing the good times is so important. Its great to have memories to look back on.
The illness didn't stop him talking to others and being sociable though. He loved talking to people and was well known in the area that he lived. Many people wouldn’t have guessed that there was anything wrong at first. If occasionally he forgot something or said words incorrectly he would say “ sorry, I get my words muddled sometimes... I have old timers!"
Watching someone suffering from mental illness is heartbreaking to watch and emotionally draining for all involved. It is so important for families to support and understand ways to help those diagnosed and also to have access to information about the help and support that is available for families. This is why charities are so important!
Luckily for my granddad, he married my wonderful nan who went above and beyond to love and support him as long as he needed her. I can honestly say that my nan is an amazing and inspirational person. I have so much respect for her strength of character and dedication to supporting my granddad even when times were really tough. Despite having several strokes at the later stages and being unable to speak, his eyes would to light up when my nan came into the room.
I think that one of the things that my nan found difficult was that people do not know how to respond to people with the illness which can isolate some old friendship groups. There needs to be more awareness of how to react to those suffering with dementia (and mental illness in general). The person is still the same person that they were before, they are just unlucky enough for the brain not to physically function as it once did and by understanding how to react to them, it makes it much easier for all involved.
As a director of a creative marketing agency I love coming up with ideas that will get people talking and with a combination of a love for sparkly stuff, all that is fabulous and also the popularity of glitter beards over the past year... the idea was born!
I hope that the event will help to raise both awareness and funds to help find a treatment that will slow the process down or even better, a cure entirely so that nobody else has to have their identities taken away from them again by this cruel illness. I hope that everyone will support us by checking out our Facebook event page and sharing it with their family and friends to encourage donations. You can make donations on our Just Giving Page”
https://www.facebook.com/
Thanks for all of your support in participating and sharing this event!
Daniella Paolozzi
Director of DP Marketing Communications
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Alzheimers Research. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.