The Dementia Unit in the Downe Hospital in Downpatrick was really thrilled to receive a very generous donation of £6245.80 from local man, Aiden Doyle. Aiden is a farmer who regularly organises events to raise money for local charities close to his heart. He has raised the same amount of money for Air Ambulance and The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
This donation will greatly improve the quality of life for patients within the unit and it will also enhance the care and support provided.
Presenting the cheque to the unit, Aiden said, “I was very keen to donate what I could to the unit, as Dementia is everywhere. Myself and members of my family circle are looking after close relatives with Dementia. I am also looking after friends who have this illness too. I wanted to donate to a local Dementia unit to help improve care and support for those locally.”
Thanking Aiden Doyle for his very kind donation, Ward Sister, Keri Gallagher, stated, “Aiden is such a lovely man, so very thoughtful and kind. I felt privileged that our ward was chosen and our patients will benefit greatly from such a generous donation.
Interim Assistant Director, Mental Health Services for Older People, Jackie Carr added, “The Trust is both humbled and delighted to receive this very kind donation. People living with dementia and their carers can often feel marginalised and forgotten about by society. Aiden’s donation will be used by our compassionate and dedicated staff in the Dementia Assessment and Treatment Unit to enhance the ward environment and provide arts-based workshops and pet/music therapy sessions, which we hope will bring joy and happiness to those patients we have the privilege of caring for.”