Dad inspires Allyson to throw hairself into major charity effort
ABRAVE woman is shaving off her hair for charity in memory of her late father.
Allyson Attward, from Macclesfield, is aiming to raise more than £500 by hosting a charity raffle night and head shave this weekend in memory of Alan Blinkho.
‘Well-loved’ Alan passed away in May this year after a four-year battle with dementia and more than 200 people attended his funeral.
Allyson, who is a Dementia Friends Champion, said she loves her hair but ‘loves her dad more’.
She said: “I have decided to take part in this challenge for the Alzheimer’s Society because my dad lost his battle living with dementia on May 24.
“He was the pinnacle of our family. He worked hard to provide for us, from being a professional footballer to a store manager for ICI. Dad was diagnosed in 2014 and lived each day to the best he could. He lost his driving licence and missed going out so I passed my test to help keep him motivated and ensured his well-being was good.
“My dad was a true gentleman and hated the fact that he could no longer do the things he enjoyed.
“As a family we were devastated when he gained his angel wings but we also knew he was at peace and that he had slowly stopped fighting.
“People who know me have said but you love your hair – my reply was simple I love my dad more.
“It’s great to think that I will be raising funds to help support people living with dementia now and to fund research to one day find a cure for dementia.”
Allyson, 37, will hold the event at Broken Cross Club on Fallibroome Road, Macclesfield, from 6pm on Friday, August 17.
Ashley Pennington, community fundraiser at the Alzheimer’s Society, said it is ‘wonderful’ for Allyson to support the charity.
She said: “Dementia devastates lives, but dementia won’t win. Until the day we find a cure we will be here for anyone affected by dementia, where they are, whatever they’re going through.
“We need more people like Allyson to join us now and unite against dementia.
To sponsor Allyson please visit https://www. justgiving.com/fundraising/bigalblinkho. ”