RTÉ and Rose of Tralee presenter Dáithí Ó Sé is calling on the nation to host a Tea Day in aid of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI).
Alzheimer’s Tea Day is the charity’s largest annual fundraising campaign and takes place on Thursday 2nd May, 2019.
The ASI aims to raise €500,000 to provide supports and services to help families living with dementia nationwide.
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of Alzheimer’s Tea Day. The inaugural Alzheimer’s Tea Day took place in 1994.
The Tea Day campaign provides vital funds for truly important services, which include: nationwide day care centres, respite, home care, social clubs, carer support groups, Alzheimer cafés and the busy National Helpline.
Every year thousands of people around the country get involved with local Tea Day events in their homes, workplaces, schools, local community centers, parishes or somewhere special.
The ASI is asking people to invite their friends, family, colleagues and neighbors to have a cuppa, a chat and maybe a treat or two.
Get involved and host a tea party by visiting here and simply register your details to receive a Tea Day pack. The pack includes an A3 poster, an invitation book, a collection box, 5 books of raffle tickets, a bank giro and fun tips on hosting a Tea Day event.
Registration deadline is Friday, 26th April. Last year there were 1,200 Tea Day hosts and this year the Charity is looking to double that number.
It is estimated that there are 711 people living with dementia in Laois and for every one person with dementia three others are directly affected.
The number of people with dementia is expected to more than double over the next 20 years to 1,422 in 2039.
All funds that are raised locally stay local to support ASI services.
€10 can provide an hour at an Alzheimer’s café for a person with dementia.
€25 can provide one hour of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.
€50 can provide a session of Musical Therapy to people with dementia.
€100 can run a social club for one day.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Ambassador, Dáithí Ó Sé said:
“I’m delighted to support Alzheimer’s Tea Day again this year. On Thursday, May 2nd we want the whole country to have a chat, a cup of tea and donate a few euro to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Tea Day campaign to help provide essential dementia-specific services for people with dementia in Ireland.
“There are 711 people living with dementia in Laois today, so that’s 711 good reasons to get the kettle on.
“Dementia is something that could affect any of us some day and did you know that for every one person diagnosed with dementia, three people are directly affected and that could be you or your loved ones?
“What alarms me is that the 711 figure is set to double in the next 20 years. But by taking part in this campaign you are helping to raise vital funds and awareness of a condition that is affecting so many of our family, friends and neighbours. What’s important to remember is that money raised locally stays locally, so by getting involved you’ll be supporting your own community.
“You never know when you might need these services. Remember that no Tea Day party is too small or too big, so join the hundreds of hosts from around the country and register for your pack.”
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