Working together can really help

Stone Alzheimer’s Drop in Club does incredible work with the sufferers and carers of Alzheimer’s and Dementia in the area and is mainly supported by donations from individuals and local organisations. By working together, the club has raised £205 from their collection tin and raffle in the last month, an amazing effort.

The importance and value of the club has also been recognised by other organisations with significant and much welcomed donations including one of £500 from Stone and District Rotary Club.

Lead volunteer Sandie McQueen also welcomed Barry Smith from St Michael’s Masonic Lodge in Stone who presented a cheque for £100 and another cheque for £100 was presented by Freda Tams - money that was raised by making and selling beautiful handmade cards.

In addition, Ethne and Tony from the Alzheimer’s Club went along to a recent Stone Festival Committee meeting to receive a further cheque for £150.

These amazing donations will help the club continue to provide facilities and weekly events that are so important to all of the members.

The club is also being helped in other ways too. Paula Dabbs, Community Champion for Morrisons store in Stone recently came along to the club for our Higher or Lower card game and brought chocolates so all participants won a prize. The support from our local Morrisons store is greatly appreciated by all.

Members Barry and Margaret explained what the club means to them: “It is a lifeline of friends who understand…and a support network which is very much a family, with a lovely band of volunteers for whom nothing is too much trouble and they are always there with a warm embrace.”

Sandie said: “Without all this amazing help, the club would not be able to provide the level of support that we do.

“Working together, our wonderful volunteers and local organisations really do help support our sufferers and carers in the community.

“It really makes a difference and I cannot put into words how it is appreciated by the club, thank you.”

The photos show Sandie receiving donations from St Michael’s Masonic Lodge, Freda and Ethne along with Paula Dabbs, Community Champion at Morrisons, who was helping out with the Club’s ‘Higher and Lower’ card game.