BUPA CARE SERVICES RAISES OVER £2000 FOR DEMENTIA AWARENESS WEEK

Bupa Care Services staff took part in a reminiscence walk on Friday 9 July in support of the Alzheimer Society’s Dementia Awareness Week, raising over £2000 for the charity. Over 20 employees embarked on the seven mile walk, which started from Bupa’s head office in Horsforth and passed through Weetwood, Meanwood and Moortown. The walk ended at Bupa’s Park Avenue Nursing Home, Roundhay. Park Avenue Nursing Home is one of Bupa’s specialist dementia homes and has been carefully planned to provide a safe environment that allows residents, particularly those with dementia, to walk around freely and safely. Staff from the home supported their colleagues by welcoming the walkers at the finish line and raising money to support the campaign, which is very close to the hearts of many staff members and residents. Park Avenue’s activity co-ordinator, Karen Mitchell joined the team on the walk. Eleanor Whitfield, from the Alzheimer’s Society’s head office in London also participated in the walk and before the event held an informal discussion at Bupa’s head office about the positive work the Alzheimer’s Society does and the partnership with Bupa Care Services. The money raised will go towards supporting research into the condition. Siobhan Drane, Bupa’s community affairs consultant, who also participated on the day, commented: “This event supported a very worthy cause and I am very proud of the staff who took part. We were overwhelmed by the generous donations we received, and the money will go to such a worthy cause.” Dr Graham Stokes, Bupa’s director of dementia care says: “Alzheimer’s Society and Bupa are working together across a range of projects to support people with dementia and their carers to find a cure for the future, whilst improving their quality of life and care. Both organisations share a commitment to fighting dementia. Supporting the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Awareness Week campaign means we are raising money for a very meaningful cause.”