From individual fundraising efforts to support from the business community, the local community is getting behind the Drogheda Alzheimer’s Association with great pride and energy.

Pictured above is Don Thornton, a teacher in St. Mary’s school, who is cycling 11,000 kms this year to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Tredagh Lodge Day Care Centre – that’s one kilometre for each person in Ireland diagnosed with the disease.

Don is cycling for at least an hour every day for an entire year to raise funds for Tredagh Lodge and also doing his best to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Alzheimer’s is a cause very close to my heart” Don says. My Dad lived with the disease for over 10 years, and the support provided by the Day Care Centre was invaluable to both him and our family.

“This year marks the fifth anniversary of his passing, and I want to honour his memory by raising funds and awareness for this incredible Centre.

You can donate to this challenge by clicking here: https://www.idonate.ie/365cyclechallenge

Another very successful fundraiser for Tredagh Lodge took place in January when Judith Chalmers from Drogheda Rugby Club took on the challenge of a lifetime and climbed to the highest spot in the continent of Africa, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Judith returned to Tredagh Lodge recently and brough with her a cheque for €8,000.

Another Step Toward creating a Dementia-Inclusive Community

Drogheda Alzheimer’s recently marked another significant milestone in its mission to create a Dementia-Inclusive community when13 additional participants from local businesses and organisations successfully completed the Alzheimer Society of Ireland dementia awareness training workshop bringing the total number of individuals who have participated to over 30, representing 25 businesses and groups in Drogheda.

Chairperson of Drogheda Alzheimer’s (Tredagh Lodge Day Care Centre), Gerry Leydon, together with committee members Aileen Murphy, Ann Shortt, and Noel Heeney, proudly presented certificates to those who took part.

Among the nine businesses and organisations represented were Paddy Dwyer’s and Owen Fox’s on Shop Street, John Hurley Bros, Wool Works and Superpharm on West Street, Peter Street Pharmacy, Abacas School, Tanya Adair and Siobhan from Louth Local Development.

This latest workshop follows the programme’s launch last summer and the first training workshop held in September 2024. The initiative remains focused on increasing dementia awareness through ongoing training and education. Through collective efforts, Drogheda is making significant strides toward becoming a community where individuals with dementia are understood, respected, and supported, another such event is planned for September.

“We are also actively working on plans to have our first Sporting Memories event on July 5th working with Drogheda United” Gerry Leydon said.

“The Sporting Memories initiative is a community-based program designed to support individuals living with dementia through the shared joy of reminiscing about sports. By recalling memorable sporting events, participants can reconnect with their past, fostering a sense of identity and community engagement.  We will be sharing more details soon.

And still the accolades pour in - Ann Shortt, who has been raising funds for Tredagh Lodge for many years, was announced this morning as Drogheda and District Chamber’s latest Community Champion award winner in association with corporate partners, Becton Dickinson and Company (see presentation photo above).

“Ann has spent two decades helping those impacted by dementia and with instances of the illness rising year on year, worldwide, the need for funding, research and most of all, support, has never been as important” said Chamber boss Hubert Murphy.

The first Alzheimer’s daycare centre was opened in Drogheda in 1996 beside Laurence’s Gate and later moved to the Donore Road.

But the dream of a purpose-built centre to serve the region was always there and Ann played a leading role – with many others – to bring in the €800,000 needed to make the dream a reality.

Finally, in 2022, the new Tredagh Lodge opened and has been a wonderful resource for clients and their families. It’s a place where smiling, laughing and fun is the norm, where people are treated with respect and dignity and, more than anything else, are assisted on their journey with dementia.

“Ann is an inspiration and we are delighted to honour her as part of the Community Champion series,” Ronan Quinn from series partner, BD, stated.

Tredagh Lodge Day Care Centre are also holding their Tea Day in the Tredagh Day Care Centre on Saturday May 10^th. Please take the opportunity to join us, enjoy a cuppa and learn more about these events and the supports, provided by Tredagh Lodge Day Care Centre.