Our fundraising income (before Gift Aid) for our 10 challenges in 10 months in 2014 was a fantastic £12,502.31!
We have shared these donations between our chosen organisations in the proportions set out below.
For 2014 there were also some specific costs associated with the Kilimanjaro trek which were covered from gift aid claims and specific fundraisings undertaken by Laura and Jon.
If you have any questions about how funds are being distributed, please contact us.
Share of funds raised in 2014
Alzheimers Society
Charity Reg: 296645
£3,750.69 (30%)
National organisation providing information and local support services, research, training, campaigning and awareness raising. Our donation was used to support campaigning and research work as well as providing direct services in Somerset & Dorset such as vital social support networks like Memory cafes, Singing for the Brain groups and groups for younger people living with dementia. 14% of all donations goes into general funds to support the vital administration and fundraising functions that support the rest of their fantastic work.
BRACE
Charity Reg: 297965
£3,750.69 (30%)
Supports dementia research at universities in South West England and South Wales, aiming to help medical science understand the causes of dementia, find ways of diagnosing it earlier and more accurately, and develop more effective treatments. Ultimately, they want to help science beat dementia. Our donation was used to support this work. Read more about the research they support.
Reminiscence Learning
Charity Reg: 1105488
£1,250.23 (10%)
Somerset based charity providing training for dementia care to individuals and professionals and leading the Archie Project – an innovative, award winning intergenerational dementia awareness community project, based around the character of Archie the Scarecrow who is living with dementia.
The funds were spent in the following way:
- £500 Archie project, Wiveliscombe (Helen & Ali’s home town)
- £500 community projects delivered at the Counting House, Tonedale
- £250 Archie project, Wellesley Park School, Wellington.
The Archie Project in Wiveliscombe has been a fantastic success; it has been launched for a second year with the introduction of a new character, Jack, who has Vascular Dementia. The project also incorporates a healthy living/ stroke prevention message.
Dementia UK
Charity Reg: 1039404
£625.11 (5%)
Offers specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for people living with dementia through world-class Admiral Nurses. They work hand in hand with families, helping them cope with the fear, uncertainty and difficult everyday reality of dementia. In providing the compassionate, expert support families need every step of the way, Admiral Nurses help them to live more positively with dementia in the present; and to face the challenges of tomorrow with more confidence, and less fear.
Our donation will provided Admiral Nurses to offer practical and emotional support to thirty one families affected by dementia.
Alzheimer’s Research
Charity Reg: 1077089
£625.11 (5%)
Working to find preventions, causes, treatments and cures for dementia. They aim to energise a movement across society to support, fund and take part in dementia research, and aim to empower people across all generations through a greater understanding of dementia. Our donation was used to support this work.
Playlist for Life
Charity Reg: SC044072
£625.11 (5%)
Encourage the use of personally meaningful music in the care and treatment of people with dementia.
Charity set up by Sally Magnusson, author of Where Memories Go, a moving and honest account of caring for someone living with dementia (recommended reading!). They encourage and support the use of music
in the care and treatment of people with dementia, helping families to create a playlist of personally meaningful music to help unlock memories. Our donation was used to develop and train volunteers to support this work.
Local Services in Chard and Taunton
£1,875.33 (15%)
£461 was used to buy resources for the Memory Cafe and Singing for the Brain groups run by the Alzheimer’s Society in Taunton; art supplies, a Wii fit and games and some musical handbells.
The Memory Cafe and Singing for the Brain run on alternate weeks offering activities and a social space for people living with dementia and their carers to meet up.
£461 was donated to Braemar house day care centre in Taunton to support activities for people living with dementia; a karaoke machine and CDs and craft materials, as well as a contribution of just over £100 to the entertainments fund for future events. Ali and Helen’s mum attends these services and they have been a lifeline; you have helped us to strengthen this vital provision for people living with dementia in the Taunton area. Thank you!
£937.67 was donated to ‘The Acorns’ suite at Oaklodge Care Centre in Chard, Somerset (Laura’s home town). The money has been used to spruce up the outside areas so that residents can safely enjoy the outdoors – this includes furniture, bird tables and raised garden beds. Also, games and pictures for the communal lounge areas have been purchased so residents can enjoy time with staff, family and each other. They do a wonderful job and the residents are
well looked after so thank you!
