Tullyglass Hotel fundraiser for Dementia UK and Alzheimer’s Society
A Greenisland man whose father has battled dementia for almost 14 years is hoping to give back to those who have supported the family with a fundraiser this autumn.
David Clarke has organised a charity dinner at Tullyglass Hotel in Ballymena on Friday, October 23.
All proceeds from the night will go towards Dementia UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and Hamilton Private Nursing Home in Ballyclare, where his father, David senior, is a resident.
“[My dad] has had dementia for almost 14 years and has battled this heartbreaking condition with both courage and bravery for a long time; we are all so very proud of him,” said David, a Mid and East Antrim councillor.
"We are also so privileged to have had him for so long compared to other families with this condition. He has defied doctors’ predictions multiple times.”
A father of two and a grandfather, David Clarke senior was born in London but has lived the majority of his adult life in Northern Ireland.
"We have been on the dementia journey for a long time and now we want to give something back to those who have supported us during this difficult journey,” his son said.
“A special shout out to Hamilton Private Nursing Home in Ballyclare who have provided amazing care to my dad – it simply is the best home in Northern Ireland in our view.”
Taking place in the Corinthian Suite at Tullyglass Hotel, the charity dinner will feature a three-course carvery, quiz, raffle and more. “I am delighted that a number of local Mid and East Antrim councillors plan to attend and support the event,” David added.
"The memory walk is very famous and well known to anyone on the dementia journey. We plan to recreate our own memory walk on the night with a huge conga line to ‘I Will Walk 500 Miles’, led by our fantastic conga captains from Greenisland and Carrickfergus.
"We know that every penny raised will go towards helping and supporting everyone who is living and battling this condition. Funding research going forwards is so crucial to finally beat dementia – if something good can come from our journey and our traumatic story, then it won’t have been in vain.”
Tickets to the event coast £35 per person; for more information, contact David on 07596092960.