Nora Owen backs Ard Chúram plan in new video
ARD Chúram Day Care Centre in Listowel is in the process of building a new state-of-theart dementia day care facility, which will cost over €1 million to complete.
It’s a tall undertaking that received a huge boost when it was nominated as one of the beneficences for this year’s Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.
Ard Chúram’s campaign received a further boost with former Minister Nora Owen coming out in support of Ard Chúram in its effort to raise awareness and funding in a new on-line video.
In the video, Ms Owen said it is a charity close to her heart as her husband, Brian, is living with dementia. She also cited the ‘many wonderful’ benefits a day care centre brings to people with dementia.
She urged people to support Ard Chúram, which caters for over 110 older people in north Kerry, in this year’s Ring of Kerry Cycle.
Since its purpose built facility was constructed in 2015, Ard Chúram operates a five-day service and is vital to the community. The hope is that by expanding its facilities it can go on to cater for even more people. Ard Chúram also provide a one-day service for Stroke and Parkinson sufferers.
Ms Owen described Alzheimers and Dementia as ‘a Tsunami’ that is hitting our population and is growing exponentially.
“We’re absolutely over the moon that somebody of the stature of Nora Owen, and the knowledge she has of Alzheimers, has come in behind us to make an appeal on our behalf,” said Finbarr Mawe, Director and Treasurer of Ard Chúram.
Ard Chúram last was a beneficiary of the Ring of Kerry
Charity Cycle in 2014 when it was building its original centre. This has made a huge impact in making Ard Chúram what it is today.
“Our new centre will be vital for people with Alzheimers and the people who care for them. This will provide respite and activities so that they will feel part of the community,” Finbarr explained.
He added that cases of Alzheimers have increased in recent years and is impacting in all communities.
“It’s a Tsunami that’s hitting our communities. We all know somebody, a friend, neighbour, family member, and elsewhere, who have Alzheimers. We will need this new centre for the future,” he said.
The new Centre is being built to the highest standard and is being fitted out with the best professional advice and one of its many modern features will include an indoor garden.