Fair City and real life couple Bryan Murray and Una Crawford-O’Brien are calling on the people of Westmeath to host an Alzheimer’s Tea Day and have the most powerful cup of tea of the year on Thursday, May 4.
Bryan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease three years ago. Bryan and his partner Una have teamed up with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI ) to invite everyone to come together for a cuppa, a chat, and maybe a treat or two on May 4th to help raise vital funds for families living with dementia nationwide.
Bryan and Una ask everyone to get involved with local Tea Day events in their homes, gardens, workplaces, schools, local community centres or somewhere special.
In August 2022, Bryan, a member of The ASI’s Irish Dementia Working Group, a group of people living with dementia who advocate for better services, supports and policies in Ireland, and Una first spoke publicly about Bryan’s diagnosis in hopes of helping others impacted by the condition.
Alzheimer’s Tea Day is The ASI’s biggest and most important fundraiser.
“I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years ago. That’s why my Partner Una and I are proud and excited to join The Alzheimer Society of Ireland as Tea Day ambassadors - and we really hope you’ll get the kettle on too and host your very own Tea Day party on Thursday, May 4th!
“Did you know at least 30 people develop dementia every day? It’s a frightening statistic; and one I wasn’t aware of until I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Thousands of families across Ireland are affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia - it cannot be understated how much they rely on supports like Day Care centres, Home Care, Dementia Advisers and training for family carers; supports Tea Day helps to provide.
“Whether your Tea Day party is big or small, it doesn’t matter; it’s all about coming together for this wonderful celebration of care, hope, and good company. Every cup of tea you share will help make a difference in your local community and across the country. And the best part is, you’ll have so much fun doing it! Sign up on teaday.ie today, and let’s prepare for the greatest Tea Day Party in the world,” Alzheimer Society of Ireland Ambassador, Bryan Murray, said.
Alzheimer’s Tea Day returned last year after taking place online in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19. Traditional Tea Day events in the past have raised €500,000. The ASI hopes to continue rebuilding Tea Day and, this year, raise €300,000.
There are an estimated 1,154 people living with dementia in Westmeath and each year more than 11,000 people develop the disease across the country – at least 30 people every day. However, there is one thing you can do to help – you can put the kettle on and host your very own Tea Day!
“I’m thrilled to support Alzheimer’s Tea Day. Since Bryan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland has been a bedrock of support for us, and the 64,000 people living with dementia in the country. But they can’t provide this support without raising vital funds through events like Tea Day.
“Dementia doesn’t discriminate; it reaches across generations, and genders and affects people of all backgrounds. As the number of people living with the condition continues to grow in the country, so does the pressure on the vital supports and services The Alzheimer Society of Ireland provides - they need our help - yours and ours. For more information, go to teaday.ie,” Alzheimer Society of Ireland Ambassador, Una Crawford O’Brien, added.
Four Easy Steps to Raise A Cuppa
1. SIGN UP – on teaday.ie or call (01 ) 207 3800, and we’ll send your Tea Day pack!
2. HOST – Few friends round for a cuppa? Perfect. Community hall, cakes, music, the works? It’s all great! Every cup, every person, and every euro raised makes a difference. Busy on May 4th? No problem – you can hold your Tea Day anytime you like.
3. REMEMBER – It’s a cup of tea that will raise awareness and funds for people with dementia.
4. SHARE your Tea Day event on social media. Post your photos and videos, and don’t forget to use our hashtag #TeaDay2023
