This April, a supporter of the charity bravely ran in the London Marathon and she raised the magnificent sum of £882 .
In the link which tells her story: Clare Christmas is fundraising for Holt & District Dementia Support, she wrote: ‘I’ve chosen to raise money for Holt & District Dementia Support as Dementia is something that has impacted my family. I’ve seen first hand the impact it has on not only the person suffering but also the friends & family of the sufferer.
The charity is run by volunteers and has supported a large number of families over the eleven years since its foundation. All of their services (except Poppy Lunch) are free to those that use them.’
We are delighted and most grateful that Clare chose to support the organisation. A huge ‘Thank you’ Clare.
On Tuesday 18th February, Holt W. I. President Lorraine Wastick and fellow member Gillian Pilgrim, accompanied by Dawn Rose (volunteer), visited Poppy Café to present us with two cheques amounting to £400. During the presentation Lorraine explained how the North East Norfolk branch of the W. I. had chosen Poppy Café to be their ‘Charity of the Year’ for 2024. Steve Benson gave an excellent speech and vote of thanks on behalf of the Charity.
What a fine achievement!
Phil writes:
What made it inspirational for us was the fact that so many people from all walks of life, of all ages and with a wide range of disabilities, set out in such a fearfully bad-weather month as February to walk in aid of a charity that held such personal resonance for almost every one of them, commemorating loved ones and those special to them.
Dementia UK didn’t make the achievement of huge totals of money or of miles the sole reason for undertaking the venture, and showed that they valued the aspects of awareness-raising and individual endeavour equally highly. The target of 1 km a day was to some barely even a challenge, but for others, on crutches or with a mobility walker, it required significant effort. We decided to aim for 200 km in the month (125 miles) and included a walk to Chestnut Farm snowdrops and to Holt, Spout Hills and Letheringsett among our varied targets.
The total raised nationwide came very close to half a million pounds; we are still awaiting a few promised donations which will raise our total to a little over £800.
Phyl and Alan would like to thank everyone who gave so generously to the fund. We see ourselves as very fortunate in having physical strength to be able to continue to be active in rambling and sporting activities.
Regrettably, the Trustees and Working Committee have decided to suspend Poppy Café on Monday mornings due to a lack of regular clients. The service has been suspended with immediate effect but we will consider relaunching it in late spring/early summer with a programme of activities. We will keep everyone informed as plans are put in place.
—————————————-
A useful document has been compiled by the North Norfolk Dementia Working Group. This is a council-led group looking at delivering North Norfolk District Council’s objectives on dementia and sharing good practice and ideas. You may find some of the information useful, from the link below.
Worried About Memory, Attention or Concentration V19.12.2023
Sadly the singer and musician booked for Tuesday December 5th have had to drop out as the singer is ill but they are hoping to re-book in the new year.
Instead, we are expecting a visit at Poppy Café from Dr. Victoria Holliday. She used to be a local GP and currently sits on the North Norfolk District Council which she will chair next year.
Dr. Holliday is interested in making Dementia the key theme of her tenure and is looking for ideas that she can promote during the year. If you have any ideas you would like to share with her could you kindly let Claire know by Tuesday.
