How school children helped raise £1 for every Christmas card they created for residents in their community

With many of its activities curtailed by the ongoing pandemic, West Rainton and Leamside Dementia Friends Steering Group, near Durham City, pledged to donate £1 from its funds towards the Alzheimer’s Society for every Christmas card written to elderly residents.

Pupils at West Rainton Primary School, which is a regular supporter of the group’s work, soon created 130 cards.

Another 42 contributions came from the wider community with the final donation reaching £300 after £128 was raised from the sale of knitted elves.

The cards were set to be delivered to the village’s Springfield Lodge Care Home and individual addresses.

Steering group chair Emily Burns expected the money to be used to support the society’s helpline following an increase in calls since the pandemic.

She added: “As a steering group, we wanted to support the work of the national charity and a big thank must go to the primary school and the wider community for getting on board.”

School headteacher Alison McDonough said: “The close relationship between the school children and the residents of Springfield Lodge, and other older adults in the community, is so precious to us and something we've greatly missed over this year.

"We are delighted to be able to make some small contributions to brightening up their day and letting them know we're still thinking about our friends.”

Further information about the steering group, which was voted Dementia Friendly Community of the Year in 2019, is available from www.wrldementiafriends.org.uk

The Alzheimer’s Society’s support line is on 0333 150 3456.

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