I am going to be running the half-marathon in Manchester on Sunday. Whilst I normally will do this for fun/the competition of it I have decided (last minute I know) to run for a charity this year.

My grandma was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s about two years ago. Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain and can start suddenly or come on slowly over time. My granddad continues to care for her on a daily basis but she attends a day care centre called Memory Lane two-three times a week to give him some respite and provide cognitive stimulation therapies for her.

The centre is run by two ladies Amanda and Pam who had parents who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and realised that there was very little help out there for families in such situations to find a good, safe environment for loved ones for the day and for carers to get some respite from what is a full time caring role. It is a god send to us as well as other families who use the centre. The ladies who run it, along with volunteers really make a difference and have done for our family.

The centre does charge a fee for its services and help is also provided through Social Services although they are also reliant on fundraising to keep the centre going and open. They are currently fundraising to buy new chairs for the centre as well as other items which now need replacing. All money raised is used by the centre.

I have put a link to the Day Care’s website below which provides full information on what they do and the help they provide to families dealing with these types of issues. If you would like to make a donation (no matter how small) that would be gratefully appreciated as it is fabulous cause. I will send around the link for the Just Giving page later on today once it is up and running.

https://www.memorylanecare.co.uk/