Charity Golf Events Raise in Excess of £7000 for Isle of Wight Alzheimer’s Cafe

Aug. 16, 2011 - PRLog -- A series of events culminating in the annual Freshwater Bay Golf Club Charity Challenge held on Sunday 14th August has raised in excess of £7,000 for the Isle of Wight Branch of the Alzheimer Cafe. Organised by Steve Sargeant, Club Captain and MD of local engineering business LCM Systems, the golf day had 90 people take part in the 18-hole competition that saw club members and visitors pitted against each other to win the prestigious trophy.

The photo attached shows overall winner John Burke (left) being presented with the trophy by Steve. A representative of the Alzheimer’s Café, Maggie Bennett, was also present and was overwhelmed by the amount raised. Maggie Bennett said " experts are advising that a healthy lifestyle improves the wellbeing of the whole population; including those living with dementia and their carers; making this fantastic charity work by members of the Freshwater Bay Golf Club even more significant". A raffle with many prizes donated by local businesses and suppliers to IOW companies also added to the final total.

Other events included a sponsored walk by Steve Orchard who walked 43 miles in one day around the eight IOW golf courses, playing one hole at each. Steve raised £1250 and this was matched by Steve Sargeant. A generous £3,000 donation was also received from Barclay’s Bank.

“I have been overwhelmed with people’s generosity”. says Steve. “Alzheimers has affected my family directly, so I was keen to do something to help others cope with this dibilitating disease. The Café provides great support for people suffering from Alzheimers, as well as their carers. Maggie and her team do a superb job. I would like to thank everyone who came out to support us over the last few weeks.”

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Enquiries: Steve Sargeant. LCM Systems Ltd. Unit 15, Newport Business Park, Barry Way, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 5GY.
Tel: +44 (0)1983 249264   Mobile: 07736 176236
E-mail: steve@lcmsystems.com       http://www.lcmsystems.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lcmsystems

Freshwater Bay Golf Club: Kevin Garrett – Club Secretary
Afton Down, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight, P040 9TZ
Tel: (01983) 752955 Fax: (01983) 756704
Email: secretary@freshwaterbaygolfclub.co.uk
http://www.freshwaterbaygolfclub.co.uk

Alzheimers Café: Maggie Bennett – Steering Group Chair
Tel. 07730 733990
Email: alzheimercafe.iow@btconnect.com
http://www.alzheimercafeiow.org.uk

UK Press Contact:
Eileen Holmes-Ievers. In Press Public Relations Ltd. St John's Chapel, High Street, Lambourn, Berkshire. RG17 8XL.   Tel. +44 (0)1488 674200  E-mail: eileen@inpress.co.uk http://www.inpress.co.uk.  
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/InPressPR

129LCM
August 16, 2011

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An Alzheimer’s Café is a regular social and information event for people experiencing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, to visit with their families and carers. The concept was developed by its founder Bere Meisen, a clinical old age psychologist in the Netherlands, following extensive work with people with dementia and their families. He noticed that people found that discussing the disease was a taboo subject and felt that a relaxed forum where people could meet up to share discussion, experiences and sorrow would help to alleviate distress and de-stigmatise the illness.

The concept of a café, provides a relaxed atmosphere where people can enjoy a drink and something to eat as well as listen to a presentation about key aspects of the disease and particularly its emotional consequences for carers and families.