Snubbed volunteers are forming a new Alzheimer's charity on Wearside after claiming a national organisation seized control of their branch.
Members of the Sunderland branch of the Alzheimer's Society say they were driven to leave the charity by national bosses.
At a public meeting yesterday volunteers said they had been "locked out" of offices at a centre bought through local fund-r
aising, and that there were no guarantees cash raised locally would stay on Wearside.
Now former branch chairman Ernie Thompson and other committee members say they will set up a new organisation to help Alzheimer's sufferers and carers in Sunderland. Speaking at the meeting in the City Library, Mr Thompson said: "A lot of us believe dementia sufferers and their carers are not served well by the Alzheimer's Society.
"We believe we can best speak for people in Sunderland. There will be no 15 per cent going out (to a national organisation). Every penny raised in Sunderland goes to Sunderland."
There were calls for an independent review into the Alzheimer's Society's actions in the handling of the shake-up, which saw local committees replaced with area managers.
The meeting was attended by carers, ex-carers, former branch committee members and Sunderland South MP Chris Mullin, but no trustees of the Alzheimer's Society turned up.
Gil Chimon, Director North, of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "We regret this group feels the need to take this step.
"Alzheimer's Society consulted widely with staff and volunteers on proposed changes in Sunderland to allow trustees to make a decision based on the best outcome for local people with dementia and their carers.
"In no way are our proposals an attempt to diminish local activity. We are seeking to extend our services to a much larger group of people, and we will be releasing full details of the new structure nationally next week."
