Plea for extra funding for Alzheimer’s
THERE was all-party support from local politicians in Drogheda for extra funding for the local Alzheimer branch in the upcoming Budget.
Headed by Mayor, Frank Godfrey, local representatives put their weight behind the funding drive.
This came at a pre-Budget event at the Tredagh Lodge centre run by the Drogheda branch of the Alzheimer Society.
Branch chairman, Noel Heeney, emphasised the importance of the facility to the local community. He said they received 38pc funding from the HSE and the rest of their finances came from fund-raising. The branch is currently undertaking a major fund-raising campaign to build a new centre at Greenhills.
Mayor Godfrey said the people of the town were well aware of the vital work done at the centre and urged extra support for the society.
The CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Pat McLoughlin, was on hand for part of the event.
Among those present lending their support were TD’s Fergus O’Dowd and Declan Breathnach, Senator Ged Nash, and Cllrs Sharon Keogan, Eimear Ferguson and David Saurin.
Long-distance athlete, Don Thornton, whose father attends the centre, raised considerable funding last year through his marathon efforts.
He spoke at the meeting of the benefits of the centre for the families of its clients and urged more support for the society.