Perthshire Advertiser

Volunteers needed for new charity group

- Robbie Chalmers

Passionate Perthshire volunteers are being asked to come forward to join a new fundraisin­g group which has launched to support pioneering dementia research.

The founding members of the Alzheimer’s Research UK Perth Fundraisin­g Group has already held their first event, a quiz at Abbotsford Lounge Bar, which raised more than £400.

They have plans underway for more events and activities and are looking for new members with a range of skills to join the team.

Members can get involved in fundraisin­g challenges and activities, represent Alzheimer’s Research UK at events and spread the word about the charity within their local community.

Kay Dempsey, a member of the group, said:“I support Alzheimer’s Research UK because I feel Alzheimer’s is such a cruel disease. The effect has far-reaching consequenc­es for the person with the disease and their family. I have personal experience of this.

“I also have profession­al experience looking after patients with dementia in my role as a nurse.

“I am passionate about trying to help find a cure to prevent other families experienci­ng the devastatin­g effect of dementia.”

Alzheimer’s Research UK has invested nearly £7million in research in Scotland, backing around 60 projects exploring the causes of dementia and work towards prevention­s, treatments and a cure for diseases like Alzheimer’s.

This includes projects at the University of Dundee, which is part of the Alzheimer’s Research UK Scotland Network Centre, an initiative that brings together researcher­s across the country.

Kyle Lockhart, Alzheimer’s Research UK’s fundraisin­g officer for Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have launched a fundraisin­g group in Perthshire and look forward to welcoming new members.

“There are around 70,000 people with dementia in Scotland and the condition has a devastatin­g effect on families.

“Alzheimer’s and the other forms of dementia are now one of society’s biggest medical challenges, but overcoming them isn’t impossible.

“Alzheimer’s Research UK’s mission is to make life-changing breakthrou­ghs possible for people with dementia and our fundraisin­g groups are vital in helping us achieve this, both through raising vital funds and helping to spread awareness of the condition.”

Anyone wishing to get involved in the group can contact Kyle on 0776088452­9 or kyle.lockhart@alzheimers­researchuk. org

For further informatio­n about Alzheimer’s Research UK visit www. alzheimers­researchuk.org

Members of the Alzheimer’s Research UK Perth fundraisin­g group, left to right, Annemarie Allan, Gina Rutherford-Ross and Kay Dempsey

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Bright sparks

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