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Hampshire man raises £8k for Alzheimer’s in memory of dad
28th July 2010
Over 400 people enjoyed a dazzling evening of entertainment at Bert’s Big Bash, at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton and raised over £8,000 for the Alzheimer’s Research Trust and the Alzheimer’s Society
The lively event, held on Saturday 17 July, was a tribute to Bert Craig who died last year with Alzheimer’s disease, aged 70.
Bert’s son Ray, from Chandler’s Ford, put months of planning into the variety night and expressed his delight at its success and the inspiration behind it:
“It was fabulous with lots of laughter, song and dance. There was something for everyone, whatever their age – a flavour of Bollywood, belly dancing, comedy, jazz, a funky choir, a Nat King Cole sing-a-like, a little bit of Salsa – the list just goes on!
“Guests of honour on the night were the Sheriff of Southampton, Councillor Terry Matthews, and his wife Lesley, plus my dear Uncle Walter, my dad’s twin brother, who flew over especially from Ireland to join in the fun.”
“The driving force behind all the arrangements was my wife Alison - I couldn’t have got the show off the ground without all her help. The amount we raised far exceeded our expectations and we’re so grateful to everyone who supported the event, including many local businesses that donated fantastic raffle and auction prizes.
“My dad was only 56 when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. As a family we felt helpless knowing there was little we could do to help him and it was heartbreaking watching him gradually lose his independence and abilities over 15 years. This event allowed us to do something positive to raise money and awareness of the need for more funding into this dreadful disease and give hope to other people.”
Miranda Mays, Community Fundraising Manager for the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, said:
“This is a wonderful result and we really appreciate the tremendous effort made by Ray and Alison along with their many helpers and supporters. By raising money for vital dementia research they are bringing new preventions, treatments and an eventual cure ever nearer.
“Over 15,500 people in Hampshire are living with the daily reality of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, one of the highest county figures in the UK. More investment into research is desperately needed and the Alzheimer’s Research Trust relies solely on its wonderful supporters.”
Bert’s son Ray, from Chandler’s Ford, put months of planning into the variety night and expressed his delight at its success and the inspiration behind it:
“It was fabulous with lots of laughter, song and dance. There was something for everyone, whatever their age – a flavour of Bollywood, belly dancing, comedy, jazz, a funky choir, a Nat King Cole sing-a-like, a little bit of Salsa – the list just goes on!
“Guests of honour on the night were the Sheriff of Southampton, Councillor Terry Matthews, and his wife Lesley, plus my dear Uncle Walter, my dad’s twin brother, who flew over especially from Ireland to join in the fun.”
“The driving force behind all the arrangements was my wife Alison - I couldn’t have got the show off the ground without all her help. The amount we raised far exceeded our expectations and we’re so grateful to everyone who supported the event, including many local businesses that donated fantastic raffle and auction prizes.
“My dad was only 56 when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. As a family we felt helpless knowing there was little we could do to help him and it was heartbreaking watching him gradually lose his independence and abilities over 15 years. This event allowed us to do something positive to raise money and awareness of the need for more funding into this dreadful disease and give hope to other people.”
Miranda Mays, Community Fundraising Manager for the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, said:
“This is a wonderful result and we really appreciate the tremendous effort made by Ray and Alison along with their many helpers and supporters. By raising money for vital dementia research they are bringing new preventions, treatments and an eventual cure ever nearer.
“Over 15,500 people in Hampshire are living with the daily reality of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, one of the highest county figures in the UK. More investment into research is desperately needed and the Alzheimer’s Research Trust relies solely on its wonderful supporters.”
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