Sandra’s daydreams make great book!

The Ahoghill lady celebrated the release of her fifth book by presenting a cheque for £3500 to the newly-formed Dalriada Branch of Parkinson’s Support at a function in the Bushtown House, Coleraine last week.

‘Day Dreams’ is another wonderful collection of work by Sandra whose previous publications have become a favourite read with countless people up and down the country.

Speaking at the Bushtown, Sandra said “you can go anywhere or do anything when you daydream – very useful when you have Parkinson’s which I have had since January 1999. It is like being a child again with a vivid imagination. One or two of these rhymes have been the result of a daydream.”

The Dalriada branch is the third to be formed within the last six months. Others are in Belfast and Fermanagh.

The branch is entirely independent of other charities and is awaiting the formation of the Charity Commission for N. Ireland to become operational in order to register.

Initial funding was by the Board members and this has been supplemented by generous start-up funding from the Lottery Fund, street collections, donations and many other fund-raising activities.

Although she would not admit it Sandra has been a huge source of support for Parkinsons and as honorary treasurer takes great delight in raising funds.

Sandra is grateful to the public for their support in purchasing copies as well as knitwear she made and hopes to start work soon on her sixth publication which many will look forward to.

A regular meeting place is at the Robinson Hospital where members including a number from the Ballymoney area meet to take part in quizzes, musical evenings, talks from health professionals and a variety of informative talks from various organisations.

Members are enthusiastic and eager to see a cure for this condition. Some have been living with the condition for more than 25 years but remain upbeat and confident that a cure will eventually be found.