Kennedy's Pharmacy donation to local branch of Alzheimer's Society

PATRICK Kennedy of Kennedy's Pharmacy in Rasharkin has recently handed over a cheque for £300.00 to Mr Adrian Friel, representing the local Causeway branch of the Alzheimer's Society.

Patrick says: "We are often asked to countersign Passport and Driving Licence applications and although we do not make a charge for this, we collect any donations offered to give to a chosen charity each year. Most people do offer a small donation and these mount up over the year.

"Until a few years ago, we also gave Christmas presents of biscuits or chocolates to business customers and working contacts. We realised that many workplaces had a "mountain" of biscuits and sweets in their tea-room at the start of every New Year, at the very time when people were trying to turn over a new leaf with regard to their eating habits. Therefore we decided to stop this practice and to also give this money to charity.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We then totalled these monies and rounded it up to reach the grand total this year of 300. Each year we choose a different charity and this year we have chosen the very worthy charity, The Causeway branch of The Alzheimer's Society".

The Causeway Service offers support, information and signposting to both carers and people living with dementia in the Causeway locality. This service is on a one to one basis and visits take place in the comfort of your own home. At the time of the visit, you will be provided with the most up to date and relevant information from the Dementia Support Manager, Mr Adrian Friel.

Other services offered are Carer Support groups in Rosebrook House, Coleraine on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 7.30pm, and in Cramsie Court, Townhead Street, Ballymoney on the last Wednesday of the month. In the support groups carers can find the opportunity to meet in a safe and secure environment.

Also Carers Information Programmes are held twice a year when different professionals in the field of dementia give informative talks over a four week period to develop knowledge about the illness; areas covered are

• What is dementia?

• Communication, financial and legal issues.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The local Causeway Branch also issue small Dementia Support Grants to either the carer or the person diagnosed with dementia; this can help to make a difference to the life of a carer and /or a person with dementia.

If you care for a loved one with a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's, or indeed you have been diagnosed yourself and would like to avail of these services, then contact Adrian Friel, Dementia Support Manager on 02870358887.

Related topics: