There is nothing we Irish love more than sharing a cup of tea with friends and families, where the problems of the day are tackled.
With one in two people in Ireland knowing someone who has been diagnosed with dementia, calling round for a cup of tea is also a great way to bring a little light into the day of someone who may be isolated.
RTÉ star, Dáithí Ó’Sé, recently enjoyed afternoon tea with reigning Miss Ireland, Niamh Kennedy, on board the Vintage Tea Tour Bus to mark the launch of Alzheimer’s Tea Day.
Alzheimer’s Tea Day , which is held on May 4, is the Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s (ASI ) largest annual fundraising campaign, supported for the second year by Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology.
Dáithí was keen to express his support for Alzheimer’s Tea Day again this year: “There are 55,000 people living with dementia in Ireland today so that’s 55,000 good reasons to get the kettle on. What alarms me is that this number is set to double in the next 20 years. By taking part in this campaign you are helping to raise vital funds and awareness of a condition that is affecting so many of our family, friends and neighbours.”
Speaking at the launch, Paul O’Driscoll, site director, Medtronic Athlone said: “Medtronic is proud to support the Alzheimer Tea Day campaign, which has played a significant role over many years in boosting public awareness of the disease. Tea Day is supported through the Medtronic Healthy Communities Fund, which promotes healthcare and wellbeing in communities, in line with the Government’s ‘Healthy Ireland’ framework.
“Our partnership is enhanced by the support of our Irish employees who have dedicated much time and energy to a cause close to the hearts of many families in the communities where we operate.”
For more information or to register for Alzheimer’s Tea Day fundraising pack, visitwww.teaday.ie or call 1800 719 820.
