Lewis and Harris Branch Newsletter

LEWIS AND HARRIS BRANCH NEWSLETTER

Summer 2016

MIDGE BITERS RALLY RAISES OVER £3000 FOR ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND! We were thrilled when approached by the organisers of the Midge Biters Rally that they wished to fundraise to help those living with Dementia in Scotland. The masterminds behind the rally were Louis Morrison, David Stewart, Davie ‘Peats’ Macaulay, Karl Scott, David McShannon and John O’Hara, all of whom had taken YOUR SUPPORT part in many rallies across Scotland. We rely on fundraised income to On the 18th of June just over 100 bikers rode out from Porter’s Lodge to make help us to campaign and to their journey down to Rodel, returning the following day. Karen MacDonald, provide services for Scotland's Community Fundraiser at Alzheimer Scotland said, “We were absolutely amazed 88,000 people with dementia to be presented with a massive cheque for £3124.42 from the Midge Biters Rally and their carers. team at the Stornoway Golf Club tonight. What a fantastic success their event was and we are so very grateful for their support.” Your legacy can make a difference - a gift in your will can 50TH REUNION! help us to continue and maintain Thanks to the generosity of our work. the children of 1966, a donation of £1500 is being WWW.ALZSCOT.ORG made to the local branch of Alzheimer Scotland. The

50th reunion of 2016 took place in Stornoway Golf Club on 27th and 28th May and included a raffle for local charities. One of the organising committee, Mary Ann Macdonald, said that it was a privilege to make the donation to such a worthwhile cause and they were delighted that through raffles and donations they were able to give so much. The branch is very grateful for the generous support of those who attended the reunion.

Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognised as a charity by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN 0131 243 1453

S5 AND S6 PUPILS WALK THE HIGHLAND WAY!

There is certainly something revolutionary (or is it evolutionary!) happening to our local young people of the Nicolson Institute! The focus, determination and drive they have for volunteering, fundraising and awareness raising is unprecedented! Six NI students decided that they wanted to show support of their local Alzheimer’s Branch – so much so that they embarked on one of Scotland’s most arduous (but very beautiful) walks known as “The West Highland Way,” The young people pictured in the photo are, Ishbel Macaulay, Jessica Macaulay, Rachael Smith, Katie Morrison, Andrew Macinnes, Angus Macphail and Jonny Henderson. The route is 96 miles long and runs from Milngavie to Fort William. The team finished the walk in just one week! They raised £1,865.64 in total and plan to continue to fundraise to support their local branch. What an amazing achievement guys! A massive thank you is extended also to the school for their inevitable support of this event!

SPONSORED WALK

Another example of this remarkable culture shift in our young people is extended to the class 1s2, who have raised £257 in their recent fundraising event with support from teacher David MacLeod. The group of First Year students chose Alzheimer Scotland Lewis and Harris as their local charity of the year.

Karen Macdonald, Community Fundraiser and Ellen Donnelly, Dementia Adviser went to speak to the students about how dementia can affect people, fundraising ideas and how fundraising money is used to help people ...living with dementia and their carers in the local area. The students organised a sponsored walk and raised a terrific amount of money.

They should be very proud of this and we would like to extend our sincere thanks for their support.

We would LOVE to hear from more YOUNG PEOPLE who are not only raising money themselves, but also those who are creative in coming forward with fundraising/awareness raising ideas and would like to be involved more with behind the scenes Branch work! Remember, this all counts towards your SALTIRE AWARDS!! If you are interested, you can contact Service Manager, Marion Macinnes (702123) directly either as an individual or as a group. How about setting up an Alzheimer Scotland Fundraising Committee for young people and encourage your friends to take part, share ideas and we will support you! Please get in touch! Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognised as a charity by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN 0131 243 1453

VOLUNTEERS AWARD FOR DONALD GEORGE!

The Annual Volunteers’ Awards ceremony was held this year on the 2nd of June in the Town Hall. We are delighted to announce that Donald George Morrison took home the award for Volunteer of the Year! Donald George has been a stalwart at Solas Day Centre for 25 years, supporting the Solas Day Centre users as well as providing transportation to and from the Centre. Well done Donald

George from everyone! Here’s to the next 25 years!

DROP A DRESS SIZE FOR DEMENTIA!

Between the months of April and June, those wishing to lose a few pounds and kickstart a healthier lifestyle were invited to join our Drop a Dress Size for Dementia! The weekly meetings were well attended and many pounds were shed and more pounds donated to our Branch funds. At the end of the event, it was Naomi MacKay who lost the most weight losing an impressive 12lbs! Congratulations to Naomi and all those who took part. Let’s make this BIGGER AND BETTER, with us all getting a little SMALLER next year!!

KRISPY KREME MADNESS!!

On the other side of the coin (beautifully ironic!), we also had a massive response to our Krispy Kreme fundraiser! Over 50 boxes of 12 pre ordered donuts were sold, which raised £500 for the Branch. It is hopeful that this will become a regular occurrence as the demand was overwhelming! Thanks to Karen MacDonald for organising such an original concept! We hope to offer this again next year, so keep your eyes peeled to our Facebook Page (Alzheimer Scotland, Lewis and Harris Branch) and get your orders in quick!

MEMORY WALK

This year’s 5k Memory Walk is taking place on September the 24th at 1pm. It was a great success last year and would like to make it BIGGER AND BETTER this year. It costs £10 to register for adults, £5 for 12-16 years and under 5s go free! Contact the Resource Centre on Bells Rd for more information. Let’s see some more purple bods in the castle grounds all walking to raise essential funds! Why not do it as a team? Dress as a purple chicken? Whatever takes your fancy – get sponsored through either the traditional method (sponsor forms available on request) or through a Just Giving Page. Spread the word!! Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognised as a charity by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN 0131 243 1453

SO, WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THIS FUNDRAISED MONEY?

It is with natural inquisition that many people ask how the money raised in Lewis and Harris is spent! Your generous donations, sponsorship, grants and goodwill all goes towards numerous projects in your local community. They help fund Dementia Cafes (Ness, Lochs, Carloway and Stornoway), the Walking Group, the Singing Group and the Gardening Project. Essential equipment for Solas is purchased, such as a new cooker, a fridge freezer and equipment and materials for therapeutic activities such as reminiscence materials, and equipment to support the playlist for life project. If we did not have a dedicated team of fundraisers and volunteers, none of these projects would be possible! It is wonderful to be able to provide our service users of all these projects with very simple, yet effective tools to feel more at ease with their illness, understand their diagnosis (which is also extended to their families and carers) and get the opportunity to have meaningful, relaxed conversations through a wide range of activities and continue to be effective contributors. Again, none of this would be possible without the ongoing positive support from local communities.

ANNUAL DEMENTIA DIP 2016!!

If you’re looking for an inspirational way to shake off the excesses of Christmas Day, why not sign up for our Dementia Dip, which this year will be held on BOXING DAY.

Just before you tuck into more turkey, brandy sauce and copious amounts of Quality Street, cleanse your palate with a salty swim in one of Lewis’ loveliest beaches! As you may recall, we had a few brave souls out in the sea at Gress last year and this year we are looking for even more! Last year we had a great response and a remarkable evolving dress code, particularly amongst the men (won’t say who!). So, calling all you lovely ladies, calling all those bodachs, young and old - search out your speedos, call the bluff of the joker who gave you that luminous mankini for Christmas and help raise essential funds for your local community!! Please note, you must be over 16 to take part in this event. There is a zero alcohol tolerance at this event. It’s important to have fun, but to stay safe also!

All funds raised via sponsorship (there will be a Just Giving Page available also) will go towards supporting many new initiatives for those living with Dementia and will continue to fund the Dementia Cafes across Lewis and Harris and our infamous Singing Group! If you would like more information about how to raise funds via the Dementia Dip, please contact Marion MacInnes on 01851702123 or [email protected]

STAY IN TOUCH

Subscribe to Alzheimer Scotland’s e-mail newsletter at http://www.alzscot.org/pages/subscribe.htm

Alzheimer Scotland Lewis and Harris has its own Facebook page, why don’t you become our friend and keep up with current news and comments. Simply search facebook for Alzheimer Scotland – Lewis and Harris

MEMBERSHIP/DEMENTIA FRIENDS

 You will add strength to our LOCAL campaigning voice – we are stronger together  You demonstrate belief and support in our cause and the aims we have

Becoming a member is easy, you can join online at http://www.alzscot.org/pages/join-alzheimer- scotland.htm If you wish to find out more about Dementia Friends, please find us at: http://www.dementiafriendsscotland.org/

UP AND COMING DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:-

We would really appreciate you either taking part in the following fundraising opportunities or providing some help at events. If you wish to get involved or again, have new exciting fundraising ideas, please contact the Resource Centre on 702123. We would love to hear from you!!

 24 September 1pm – Memory Walk, Castle Grounds, Stornoway  21 October 10am – 5pm – Co Op bag pack, MacAulay Rd, Stornoway  31 October 10.00am – 1pm – Coffee Morning, St Columba Hall, Stornoway  26 December time to be confirmed. Tidal information required. – Dementia Dip, Gress Beach