Lockdown has been particularly difficult for people living with dementia and equally difficult and lonely for people caring for loved ones at home.
This week is Donate For Dementia week and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) has teamed up with Virgin Media Ireland to bring you a week dedicated to fundraising and awareness of dementia.
The Donate for Dementia fundraising and awareness week starts today, Monday 22nd March and runs until Sunday 28th March, concluding in the highly anticipated broadcast of Finding Jack Charlton at 9pm on Virgin Media One.
As part of the week, they are asking the nation to Jump for Jack by doing as many jumping jacks in one minute and to donate and share their jumping jacks on social media, challenging friends and family to take part.
To kick start the week, tomorrow morning on Virgin Media One’s Ireland AM, presenters Karen Koster and Tommy Bowe will start the challenge and will ask viewers to send in their Jumping Jack videos which will played on air through the week.
Also on Ireland AM, former Irish soccer captain Andy Townsend will explain what it was like to work under the legendary Jack Charlton and husband and wife, Gerry and Nuala Paley, will be talking about their lived experience of the condition.
Following on from Ireland AM, Teena Gates will be joining Elaine Crowley on The Elaine Show to chat about what it is like being a full time carer for her dad. We will also get an insight through a short clip on what a day in the life of looking after her dad is like.
On the Six O’Clock Show, Muireann and Martin will sit down with former Love Islander and rugby pro Greg O’Shea who is helping raise awareness on the major impact dementia has on families, by sharing stories of his beloved late grandmother who lived with dementia.
And finally, to conclude Monday, The Tonight Show will host former Government Minister Nora Owen who will be talking about her own story caring for her husband, Brian, who sadly passed away last year.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- DONATE FOR DEMENTIA Go to donatefordementia.ie or ring (01) 5541680 and donate whatever you can.
- DO JUMPING JACKS FOR DEMENTIA To celebrate the premiere of the moving Finding Jack Charlton documentary, thousands of people, families, clubs and businesses are taking on the Jump For Jack Challenge and doing as many Jumping Jacks as they can. Then share on social media, donate and nominate a friend or family member.
- NOMINATE OTHERS TO TAKE THE CHALLENGE
Jump for Jack – Ask Yourself
– How many Jumping Jacks can I do?
– How many people can I get to join me?
– And how much money can we raise for dementia?
– Just pick your target. Pick your teammates. And get jumping.
– Go to donatefordementia.ie or ring (01) 5541680 to make your donation
The ASI is the main service provider of dementia specific services in the country and their services have been massively impacted by Covid-19.
Let’s help them to help the 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland by texting MEMORY to 50300 for a €4 donation or visit donatefordementia.ie if you want to support further.
Please share this with friends, family and any groups you may be in
