Soroptimist International (Londonderry) - Alzheimer's Society

Published 7 February 2013

Jane McKee, current president of Soroptimist International Londonderry, takes us through the club?s fundraising efforts and their reason for choosing us as their 2012 charity of choice.

'Many of us have had friends or relatives affected by dementia and we were very conscious of the importance to sufferers and their carers of the support and advice offered by Alzheimer?s Society.'

The club held two major fund-raising events in the Derry area, one in the city and one in the countryside. The first was organised by club member Mary McLaughlin, a fundraising event with a difference. On 9 September in Craigbane Hall a Human Draughts competition took place. Draughtboards were made, raffle prizes collected and the fundraiser attracted twelve teams. The evening was a great success, raising over ?800.00 as well as providing great entertainment for the participants.

'The Soroptimist club is very grateful to the local Claudy-Park community and Craigbane GAA Club who gave Mary the use of their facilities.'

The second event took place in Brigade Cricket Club in Derry on 7 November; inspired by the cupcake revolution, this was an afternoon tea party that attracted a large number of participants.

'Soroptimists are all women who work or who have worked outside the home and many of us have little time for domestic pursuits, so the decision to provide an afternoon tea was quite a challenge to some of us, but we played to our strengths and divided tasks according to abilities. Some members made mountains of sandwiches, while others bought supplies or baked buns, tray bakes and scones, some of them for the very first time and others with skills developed over many years.'

There was yarn-spinning and songs from Stuart Buchanan who offered his services for free and a very successful raffle sponsored by Austin & Co and Sinclair Furnishings, as well as club members. The afternoon was enjoyed by everyone and raised over ?700.00.?

'The club is very grateful to all those who supported us by buying tickets, joining us for afternoon tea, making donations, giving raffle prizes or helping to ensure that we found our way round the facilities at Brigade.

'It has been a pleasure this year to support Alzheimer?s Society and its work with dementia and we are very glad to have been able to raise over ?1,500.00 thanks to the generosity of those who supported the events in Craigbane and Brigade.'

The Northern Ireland Community Fundraising Development Team wishes to thank Soroptimist International Londonderry for joining our fight against dementia.

Pictured: Alzheimer's Society Dementia Support Worker Michael McIvor (left) accepts a cheque for ?1567 from the members of Soroptomist International Londonderry.

If you would like to get involved in fundraising in your local area we have lots of ideas for fundraising individually or there are many events that you can sign up to. All funds raised will go towards supporting Alzheimer's Society fulfill our ambition of a world without dementia.

Source: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=1485

new smyrna beach st. joseph puerto rico primary manning peyton florida state meghan mccain