Buncrana fundraiser to support Nazareth House's new '˜dementia garden'

Plans are underway to construct a 'beautiful' sensory '˜Dementia Garden' in Fahan's Nazareth House and an aptly themed charity event is to help raise funds for it.
Donna Hegarty and Nicholas Crossan pictured at last year's Charity Night. DER1915MC104Donna Hegarty and Nicholas Crossan pictured at last year's Charity Night. DER1915MC104
Donna Hegarty and Nicholas Crossan pictured at last year's Charity Night. DER1915MC104

Proceeds from the popular annual Social Evening of Entertainment and Floral Art, presented by the Buncrana Flower Arrangers’ Group will this year go towards the garden, which will cost in the region of 10,000 euro.

It will be constructed alongside renovations to the Fahan residential facility, which currently cares for 45 residents.

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Nursing manager Wilma D’Souza told the ‘Journal’ the garden is something they had been hoping to put into place for a long time and, with works underway, it seemed like the right time to do so.

She described how the garden will be fully secure and ‘sensory’ with many colours and different plants, as well as flowers of different textures and smells.

They are hoping to also construct a safe walkway along the garden and perhaps a few benches and a gazebo for the residents.

The size and scope of the garden depends on the money raised to construct it.

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A total of 2,000 euro has already been collected and Ms D’Souza said all at the Nazareth House were “absolutely delighted” to hear that proceeds form the social evening will be donated to the cause.

She said: “We were just over the moon. It is so very generous and we are very grateful. The event is always very popular and the monies raised will all go towards creating our garden.”

Ms D’Souza added that although the Nazareth House is currently in the welcomed process of being upgraded, they do not receive a huge pot of funding from Government.

Therefore, they need to undertake fundraising within the local community to pay for their sensory garden.

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Ms D’Souza said all at Nazareth House want to put in place a non-pharmalogical, serene, secure and beautiful area for residents - many of whom suffer memory problems - to enjoy the fresh air and outdoors.

There are similar gardens at Ard Aoibinn in Carndonagh Community Hospital and St Joseph’s Community Hospital in Stranorlar.

The Social Evening of Entertainment and Floral Art Exhibits takes place in the Lake of Shadows Hotel, Buncrana on Thursday 12th May at 8pm.

Admission is €10, including supper. Approximately 50 flower displays (all donated by the group) will be raffled on the night.

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Entertainment will be provided by Hugh P and Maria Doherty, Studio 47 Dancers, Keenan Barrett and Maria Doherty, Jennifer McCallion, Patrick McBrearty and Sophie Doran, who are all very kindly giving their time free of charge. The M.C. on the night is Nicholas Crossan.

Everyone is very welcome to what is always an extremely popular and well organised event.

The organisers ask that you please bring a friend and support this very worthy cause.

Tickets are available from any member of the Buncrana Flower Arrangers’ Group, or you can also pay at the door on the night. Further information from Margaret on 9361114 or Anna 9361271. All donations will be gratefully accepted, please contact Margaret/Anna.

If you would like to donate to the Nazareth House Dementia Garden, contact Ms D’Souza at the Nazareth House on 07460113.

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