Singing Provost Launches Charity Appeal

Published 9 Aug 2010 16:30

Provost Stephanie Young enjoyed an afternoon of musical entertainment as she launched her new charity appeal at the North West Kilmarnock Area Centre.

Alzheimer Scotland, Action on Dementia, is Provost Young's chosen charity for this year, following in the footsteps of Combat Stress who benefitted from donations topping £50,000.00 thanks to the support of East Ayrshire elected members, employees, local businesses and public.

Provost Young said: "I'm delighted to be working with Alzheimer Scotland to raise funds and awareness this year. Our appeal hopes to achieve several aims. We're supporting this "Musical Minds" initiative, a "Football Reminiscences" project and are looking at establishing a drop in centre in Kilmarnock and a series of community cafes throughout East Ayrshire dedicated to helping those with dementia.

"I was inspired to support Alzheimer Scotland after listening to John Suchet's story of living with Alzheimers since his wife Bonnie was diagnosed in 2006. Sadly it is a condition which touches many people. This charity does so much work to support people with dementia and their families."

NHS Patient Services Manager Isabel Marr welcomed everyone to the Danny Coffey suite. "Musical Minds is an innovative project and we're delighted to be working with East Ayrshire Council and Alzheimer Scotland to be launching the first such group in Scotland. While there is as yet no scientific proof that singing improves dementia we are hopeful that this project will enable us to research the real benefits which music can bring to service users and their families."

Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland said:" We are deeply indebted to East Ayrshire Council for choosing to support our charity for the next year. In Scotland at the moment there are over 70,000 people living with dementia. As a charity we aim to support those people and their families through services such as music therapy, football reminiscence and lobbying for change, breaking down barriers to make life easier.

"The exciting thing about this project is the partnership between East Ayrshire Council, ourselves and the National Health Service. We're working together to provide a level of care and assistance which is unique in Scotland. We hope the ground breaking East Ayrshire group will serve as an example which can eventually be rolled out across Scotland."

"Provost Young's decision to support us during this year is the start of many exciting opportunities to help us achieve our aim. We exist to ensure that no one needs to be alone with dementia and with East Ayrshire's help we will move closer to that goal."

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This article appeared in Cumnock Chronicle 09 Aug 10

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