Appeal hits target for ‘Magic Table’
The late Terry Kennedy would have been ‘‘very proud of his community’’, after a fundraiser in his name reached its $10,000 goal, meaning a specialised table for dementia patients is on its way to Timaru, his daughter says.
The ‘‘Magic Table’’ for Lorna Home, at The Croft rest home, where Kennedy spent his final days, helps with increased physical activity, social interaction and cognitive reasoning, with a fundraiser set up by Carmel Kennedy, in memory of her late father.
Kennedy, a former Timaru District councillor, died at the rest home on April 23, aged 82, and has been remembered by those who served with him as a ‘‘champion of the people’’.
Carmel Kennedy said she spent much time pacing the floorboards of the dementia ward her father spent his final days in, and it was there, in the middle of the night, she decided she wanted to do something to help others in the home.
‘‘It’s fantastic news,’’ she said of the target being reached. ‘‘Well done everybody. Dad would have been so proud and it [the table] will help so many different residents.’’
Presbyterian Support South Canterbury owns The Croft and chief executive Carolyn Cooper said $10,302, was raised by the community for the initiative.
‘‘The support from the community has been both humbling and overwhelming. To raise this amount of money in just a few weeks is a real testament to how valued and appreciated Terry was by our community,’’ Cooper said.
‘‘We are very grateful to Terry’s family for wanting to fundraise in Terry’s name for the Magic Table, and we are so very grateful to all of the people who supported the fundraiser with donations and hope that there will be continued support as we now look to creating a specialised sensory room.’’
St Vianney’s Timaru Trust also gave $5000 to the fundraiser, promising to underwrite the project to the extent it will meet the full cost or the portion that needs to be raised. It would also support the proposed sensory room.
Concerts were also held in Timaru, organised by Kennedy’s former bandmate George Kinch.
Cooper said the table has been ordered, and it was likely to take a few months to arrive.
‘‘We plan to have an open day, so people can come and see what the Magic Table is about, and to celebrate this wonderful piece of equipment that will be of benefit to current and future residents and their families for years to come.’’
The table would offer residents and their families living with dementia a better quality of life together, she said.
‘‘The Magic Table increases physical activity for those living with dementia, increases social interaction and cognitive reasoning. Residents and families can use the table together and several people can enjoy the table at one time.’’
Music was also a feature of the table, and this would be calming and engaging for dementia residents offering more quality time for families, she said.
‘‘It also reduces agitation and negative emotions which allows for better relationships between residents their families and care staff.’’