04/04/2008
Here in Hereford there are reported to be 2575 people suffering with dementia, and this number is expected to rise by 57% to reach 4048 people by the year 2021. Not all of them are old people: younger people too can be afflicted with this life-shattering disease.
For every one of those sufferers there are family, friends and carers whose lives are also torn apart by Alzheimer's. Carers need some TLC too, and the Mayor's Charity is focused on raising funds for the Befrienders Service which gives support and help to long-term carers so that they can cope with the exhausting demands made on their lives.
Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Chris Chappell, who nominated Hereford Alzheimer Society as his chosen charity for his year in office, is always keen to support money raising efforts for the cause and wishes BBC Hereford and Worcester's Nicola Goodwin every success with her forthcoming London Marathon attempt.
The Mayor presented Nicola with a specially designed T-shirt for the event, kindly sponsored by local Hereford businesses Club Sport of Bewell Street and Jeans Nation of Eign Gate.
"We're delighted to be able to help out." said Luke Conod, Jeans Nation's Managing Director. "It's a very worthy cause."
Nicola will be running in the London Marathon on 13th April, raising money for The Mayor's Charity through sponsorship by listeners, colleagues and friends.