The old black and white picture above is of my Mum on the left, myself, Keith, my little sister Susan, and younger brother Mark. and on the right is my lovely Nan, Muriel (photo taken in 1973 when I didn't have a care in the world). The picture only surfaced recently, I have no recollection of it at all, my mum's crazy big Afro, my sisters angry face (which she pulled in most photos), my little brothers cheekiness, and my nan, who looks the same in every photo, proud and happy, sadly she's no longer with us.

Although I don’t remember the photo, I can connect with all the faces, clothing, hair, the front garden, and the house. I have been looking at many old photos just recently, it's a great way of triggering those moments that we have long since forgotten, but imagine looking at a photo of your nearest and dearest and seeing a bunch of strangers..... and that is where my link to Dementia comes in and the reason I would love for you to sponsor me. I currently work within an Occupational therapy unit at Meadowbank , which is a Dementia ward in Springview Mental Health Hospital, part of Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The donations raised for the Triathlon will be going to an amazing charity called Dementia Together Wirral, who like a lot of charities have suffered because of the Pandemic. They do outstanding work within the Wirral area for people effected by Dementia, so please take a minute to read about some of the great work they do, which is located at the bottom of the page.

About Keeefy:

Training has started for us both, although we both keep ourselves fit this is another level. I personally suffered a badly damaged back in 2009 receiving multiple fractures of my thoracic spine altering the shape of my back requiring daily medication for chronic pain, for me, this is a drop in the ocean when compared to this devastating disease. I am always positive and happy but since working with Dementia Patients their Family and Friends, I have felt saddened by the sheer horror of this illness. I have so much more respect for everyone who has been diagnosed with this crippling disease and the family and friends caring for their loved ones. Victoria Mottershead and I would be extremely grateful if you could sponsor us on our epic Triathlon , organised by the Bala Standard Triathlon event in Wales in September 2021 this year, don't worry we have two bikes.

About Victoria:

I'm Victoria, AKA Vickster as my uncle calls me. A few months ago, whilst in lockdown I received a message, swiftly followed by a phone call from a slightly inebriated uncle of mine, asking me to join him in his newest idea of the month… which just so happened to be a triathlon. As much as I like to keep fit and active, this was something that required him to guilt-trip me into, anywho… here I am a few months on. Raising donations for Dementia together Wirral, it is a wonderful cause, I have seen close friends and neighbours care for their loved ones tirelessly, some for many years, whilst trying to balance their day-to-day lives and ensure their nearest and dearest receive the best care they deserve. I genuinely believe there needs to be more support for family members who become carers and because of this belief, I am currently in training for a triathlon to raise as much as we possibly can to go towards this wonderful charity, whilst making memories that are sure to be filled with laughter (and horror).

Dementia Together Wirral

Who We Are

Dementia Together Wirral are a small but mighty local charity – powered almost exclusively by volunteers plus one part-time member of staff. Founded in 2018, Dementia Together Wirral brings those affected by dementia together to enjoy friendship, fun and community.

What We Do

Our incredible volunteers host an array of events from memory cafes to music groups to craft and games get togethers for our members (or Friends, as we like to think of them). We’re a nomadic bunch at Dementia Together Wirral – you’ll find us across a variety of Wirral venues from Port Sunlight to Puddington. Wherever on the Wirral they are, our understanding volunteers and lovely Friends guarantee a warm welcome and a smile for anyone affected by dementia or memory loss.

There’s no cost to join Dementia Together Wirral’s community but there are plenty of benefits - including access to our popular Activity Box Loan Scheme. Our free Activity Boxes (filled with puzzles, reminiscence items and creative activities) have helped our Friends to stay connected and mentally active throughout multiple challenging lockdowns. Members of the Dementia Together Wirral community are also welcome to join us on our monthly (highly sought after) day trips by coach and boat – which we are delighted to be offering again now restrictions have eased.

What Can You Do?

As a small local charity, your support means the world. Every penny and pound you donate makes a difference. We know how isolating living with dementia can be. We also know how life changing our community is. With your support, we can help more people affected by dementia right here on the Wirral.

Alongside your generous donations, you can make a difference in the lives of local people affected by dementia by telling people about Dementia Together Wirral. We need your help to get the word out about our free events for people living with dementia. As a small charity with a limited budget for marketing, word of mouth is essential to our success. We’d like you to tell your family, your friends, your colleagues and your neighbours about us and our events.

We also need you to help spread the word about Dementia Together Wirral online. Simply by sharing, commenting or liking our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts – you can help us to reach more of the people who need us. We’d love for you to come and say hello at facebook.com/DementiaTogetherWirralCharity twitter.com/DementiaWirral Instagram.com/DementiaTogetherWirral