£200,000 CAMPAIGN FOR NEW ALZHEIMER DAY CARE CENTRE
PUBLIC URGED TO ‘REMEMBER THOSE WHO CAN’T REMEMBER’ AS APPEAL STARTS OFF WELL OCTOBER 1998
DUNDALK and its hinterland are urged to ‘remember those who can’t remember’ when a £200,000 appeal is launched to build and furnish a new Alzheimer day care centre.
There is a bold plan to have the facility up and running by the end of next year.
A fully-serviced site is donated by the North Eastern Health Board at the rear of St Oliver Plunkett Hospital.
Plans are drawn up and it is projected work will start in the new year, says Alf Dwyer, chairman of the appeal management committee.
A model is exhibited at the launch in the Fairways Hotel and immediate stimulus is given to the appeal when Minister Dermot Ahern commits £20,000 from his Department for Community, Family and Social Affairs.
Also, a cheque for €8,500 is presented to committee member, Paddy Carroll, by Rosaleen Mullen, the proceeds of a golf classic organised by her husband, Frank and sponsored by Louth Transport and Mullen Quarries.
To date, £63,500 is collected through different fundriaising.
Mr Dwyer explains this is being put aside to run the centre in its first year.
To assist fund-raising efforts, Bank of Ireland make an office available and he also thanks FAS for its help with the office.
The centre will hopefully cater for up to 20 patients per-day by professional staff and trained carers. With up to 100 people being looked after, it will give their families a break.
There are an estimated 900 dementia sufferers in Louth, with 33,000 throughout the country.
John Higgins, committee member, confidently states there is no doubt the centre will be up and running by the end of 1999.
Dónal O’Shea, chief executive of the North Eastern Health Board remarks that knowing those involved, he has no doubt the target of £200,000 will be exceeded.
He recalls they set out to raise £250,000 for equipment for the Louth County Hospital, ending up with £350,000.
There are 55 sufferers presently attending services on site, Mr O’Shea says.
Committee member, Dr Tom O’Callaghan says the consultant staff at the Louth are proud to be associated with the project and would offer all assistance they could.
It is pointed out by Kathleen Taaffe, chairperson of the North Louth branch of the Alzheimer Society, that the provision of a specialised day centre is their main objective since being formed in July, 1994.
Frank Toal, on behalf of the committee, asks the audience, which is shown a video of how the disease affects sufferers and their families, for continued support.
He says dementia, unfortunately, ‘is something which is likely to touch all of us in some way, at some time in our lives’.
Mr Toal explains the committee will be targeting all businesses, industrial services, financial institutions and professional services.
They will be approaching various organisations for direct contributions, if possible, but particularly to organise or help organise fundraising events.