Category: Uncategorized

May 28, 2026 Uncategorized

Dementia week at Worcester Racecourse for Fergal O’Brien’s Skydive

Dementia week at Worcester Racecourse for Fergal O’Brien’s Skydive

A Leap of Courage for Dementia Carers

Friday the 22nd was not just the highlight of 2026 Dementia week but I am sure the year as well.

We were at Worcester Racecourse for the premier showing of Fergal Obrien Skydive and what a day it was . Beautiful sunshine , packed racecourse to see the full skydive before racing and a shorter version in between races .

Posters were put up in all important areas across the racecourse and a desk at the entrance manned by Louise, Rob, Paula and Walid with Fergal joining occasionally for photo opportunities . Also we had 5 wonderful ladles ( Joanne, Kayla, Sophie, Tabatha and phoebe ) from Fergal O’Brien Racing with collecting tins talking taking donations from racegoers in the paddocks, terraces , restaurants and bars.

Here is your opportunity to was the skydive https://youtu.be/EdqnenPyZ4I

Our special thanks go to Fergal O’Brien, a good racehorse trainer and a benevolent person whose kindness, energy, and commitment to this skydive challenge have been truly inspiring. Fergal and his really wonderful team have been simply great .

Dementia is a heartbreaking disease that slowly steals memories, personality, and independence, leaving family carers emotionally and physically exhausted, suffering alone .

45% of people with dementia depends on a family carer and 89% od whom will have a face mental and or physical crisis Today 1 in 3 will have Alzheimer’s/Dementia and it continues to be the leading cause of death. In 2024 it accounted for 68,273 deaths which is 12.1% of all registered deaths.

Many family carers provide support day and night with little rest and often reach breaking point. Dementia Carers Respite exists to help by funding professional, dementia-trained carers, giving families precious time to rest and recharge.

We are still counting and we estimate that the final figure will be in the region of £13500 !!, considering the aim was for £5000 , the amount raised exceeded all our expectations. Thank you to everyone supporting this cause and helping bring comfort, dignity, and hope to families facing dementia

If you have not yet donated , there is still time , Just go to https://gofund.me/c080a0190 or scan the QR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdqnenPyZ4I

May 26, 2026 Uncategorized

Dementia Week Monday 18/5/2026

Dementia Week started at Tesco, and as always, it was a busy and rewarding day at their Amersham Superstore.

We had a fantastic day collecting donations, meeting members of the public, and most importantly raising awareness about dementia and the support that is available for individuals and families living with the condition. Throughout the day we were able to speak with so many people, answer questions, offer advice where we could, and simply take the time to listen to personal experiences and concerns.

Events like these are so important because they help bring dementia into everyday conversations and remind people that support is available and that no one has to face it alone. The generosity and kindness shown by shoppers and staff throughout the day was truly appreciated and makes a real difference to the work we do. .

We would love to do many more days like this, but we can only make that happen with the help of volunteers who are able to spare just a couple of hours from time to time. Whether it’s helping on a stand, speaking with the public, or supporting fundraising activities, every little bit of help makes a huge difference.

If you feel you could spare a couple of hours from time to time for a good cause , please contact Sue by email at s.luxton@dementia-respite.org.uk

A huge thank you to BJ, all the Tesco staff, and everyone who stopped to chat, donate, and support us during the day. Your support means so much to us and to the families we help

May 21, 2026 Uncategorized

You are cordially invited to a day of golf and an evening of fine food & fun

You are cordially invited to a day of golf and an evening of fine food& fun

Thursday, 6th August 2026

Harewood Downs Golf Club, Cokes Lane, Near Amersham, HP8 4TA

Following the success of our previous three events, we are pleased to announce our fourth annual Golf Day & Dinner at Harewood Downs. This esteemed venue is regarded as one of Buckinghamshire’s finest golf venues, renowned for its exceptional catering that combine restaurant quality with excellent value and service.

Hosted by Charity Patron & TV personality Mr Eric Knowles

Event Schedule:

11:00–12:00 — Golfers’ Reception & Rolls at the Clubhouse

12:00–17:00 — 18-Hole, 3 ball Team Stableford Competition

17:00–18:00 — Refreshments and rest for golfers

18:00–18:15 — Presentation of Golf Prizes

18;00- 18:30 — Welcome address, Waid Marzouk

18:15–18:45 — Stewart Andrew – Retired Businessman, Grand National winner & Dementia Carer

18:45–19:45 — Dinner 3 course meal ( menu to follow )

Additional highlights include:

• Raffle featuring premium prizes

• Exciting Auction for High-Value Items hosted by Richard Phillips

Costs:

Golf tournament : £55 per person including Morning Coffee & Roll

Hardwood Downs members not joining for dinner £10

Dinner/Evening: £44.00 per person

To reserve your place for the golf tournament, the dinner, or both, please email s.luxton@dementia-respite.org.uk which you can also use for general enquiries. For information about the golf competition, contact graham@geldeard.com

For information on venue please visit website: https://www.hdgc.co.uk/

Please note: spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Walid Marzouk – Founder & Chairman

01494776656- 07733331711 www.dementia-respite.org.uk

Charity of the year-Chiltern hospital, Nationwide & Fergal O’Brien Racing Ra

Dementia Carers Respite -Charity Registration number: 1202451- Charity Commission. England

November 26, 2025 Uncategorized

4th Dementia Awareness meeting goes online

Our fourth Dementia Awareness meeting was conducted online, following the success of our third session at Chiltern Hospital. The virtual event, held on November 18th 2025, was coordinated by Committee member Councillor Rob Gill with substantial support from Trustee Pete Healy.
Dementia Specialist Sally Blackden delivered an insightful presentation, addressing topics such as recognising early signs of dementia, lifestyle modifications that may help prevent or delay the progression of this challenging condition, and practical advice for caring for individuals living with dementia at home, including her renowned “tricks of the trade.” The session concluded with a Q&A segment.
The meeting was attended primarily by councillors from across Buckinghamshire. Councillor Rob Gill is now organising even larger and more impactful events for local councils next year.
Many thanks to Rob, Pete and especially to Sally for holding this successful event

July 23, 2025 Uncategorized

We are back in Chesham for Hats Off & Health on the high Street

On the 12th and 19th of July, Dementia Carers Respite made a vibrant double appearance on Chesham High Street—first for the festive Hats Off celebration, followed by the informative Health on the High Street event. Both days were well-attended and enthusiastically supported by Cllr Parveiz Aslam.

Hats Off took place under glorious sunshine, where the sombreros were out adding to the colour and energy of the day. The following week’s Health on the High Street brought rain, but not even umbrellas could dampen the public’s spirit—enthusiasm remained undeterred.

Held free of charge and open to everyone, Health on the High Street encouraged people to reflect on their physical and mental wellbeing. Healthcare professionals were available to answer questions, while a variety of organisations and charities shared resources and support.
A packed programme of talks in Market Square covered a wide range of health topics, including:
Health & Wellbeing through Exercise
Men’s Health and Ageing
Women’s Health and the Menopause
CPR and Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Eye Health: Glaucoma and Dry Eyes
…and much more.

With such a positive community response, it’s safe to say Hats Off and Health on the High Street will be making a welcome return next year.

September 22, 2024 Events, Uncategorized

Local Triathlon raised £1005 for our Charity

Local Triathlon Veronica Green-Jones raised £1005 for Dementia Carers Respite
On the 17th of September Veronica presented the cheque of the money she raised to Dementia Carers
Respite patron Mr Eric Knowles in a small but select gathering organised by Events Director Parviez
Aslam MBE.
A superhuman effort at Blenheim Palace, She achieved an unbelievable 8 triathlons over day and a
half in June with a total of 5,300m lake swimming, 146km of cycling and c.45km of running.
Veronica said “I really enjoyed the challenge of the Weekend Warrior event, the run from the finish of
one race to the start of the next is not included in the official total running distance, but you certainly
feel it haha!
Choosing Dementia Carers Respite as the Charity of choice was easy. It is a local charity giving much
needed respite to Family Carers left alone to struggle without NHS or council support.”
Walid Marzouk founder & Chair, said “we are deeply grateful for Veronica, every penny raised will
go to support local dementia families. Buckinghamshire needs more Veronicas”

May 19, 2024 Uncategorized

Local Triathlete Supports Dementia Carers Respite

Local triathlete, Veronica Green-Jones, from Prestwood, is gearing up for an extraordinary challenge to support family carers of people living with dementia. Veronica, who works at a girls’ school in Amersham and in an art gallery in London, will be competing in the well known Blenheim Palace Triathlon 2024 on June 1st and 2nd as a ‘Weekend Warrior.’ This means she will be completing not just one triathlon, but repeating the event as many times as she can throughout the weekend, within the constraints of the event race waves times.
Veronica’s passion for triathlons began in 2018 when she competed in her first triathlon and was “bitten by the bug.”. Her promising athletic journey took a pause in 2019 when she had to withdraw from the event due to being heavily pregnant with her third child. The pandemic further delayed her return to the sport, but she made a triumphant comeback in 2022. That year, she not only competed but excelled, finishing first in her age group and as the second female overall.
Balancing her demanding schedule, which includes working and caring for her three young sons, Veronica has continued to achieve remarkable feats in the triathlon world. In 2022, she qualified for the GB Age-Group Teams in Aquathlon and clinched the top spot in her female age group at the European Aquathlon Championships in Belgium. She also emerged victorious in her age group at the British Championships held at Hever Castle last September.
Veronica’s journey to becoming a triathlete is even more inspiring considering her childhood struggles. “For someone who was really ill as a child and early teen and missed 4 years from school with chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, it gives me no end of pleasure to be fit and well. I’ve never looked back,” she says. Her personal experience with chronic illness and the intense care she received from her parents has fueled her commitment to supporting carers.
Veronica’s motivation for this year’s Blenheim Palace Triathlon is deeply personal and philanthropic. She aims to raise funds for the charity, Dementia Carers Respite, a cause close to her heart. All the money raised will be used to provide much-needed respite for family carers of people living with dementia in Buckinghamshire.
Join Veronica in her inspiring endeavor by donating to her fundraising campaign at https://bit.ly/3xZvPCJ and help make a difference in the lives of those caring for loved ones with dementia. Your support can provide a vital lifeline to these dedicated carers, offering them the opportunity to rest and recharge.

Read our updated post about the triumph for Veronica at the triathlon. 

April 29, 2024 Uncategorized

Dementia Carers’ Respite at No. 10 Downing Street

As a splendid endorsement of the invaluable work of Dementia Carers’ Respite (DCR), Walid Marzouk, the charity’s Chair, was invited to a No. 10 Downing Street Reception held for the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission on 20th March 2024.

Coming just three days short of the charity’s first anniversary helped make this a special event, in which Walid was delighted to participate, especially knowing that most attendees were from larger and more well-established organisations.

Walid said, ‘Having the pleasure of meeting Hilary Evans and speaking to Professor Nadeen Sarwar, Co-chairs of the Mission, I learnt the good news that affordable testing for dementia is soon becoming available, as well as new treatments within the next decade.

I also spoke to Scott Mitchell (Barbara Windsor’s husband), who was announced as the People’s Champion of the National Mission to beat dementia, founded in his wife’s memory. Scott knows the Chesham and Amersham areas and we hope he will visit DCR very soon.

Fruitful discussions were held with many other people from large and small charities and NGOs, as well as policy makers. As I was leaving, a lady from a Swansea charity, who overheard me talking about our work, stopped me to say “I am in awe of what you are doing” – what a credit to pay to our wonderful team!’

A most memorable day and a wonderful experience as well as very useful high-level networking for Dementia Carers’ Respite.

February 29, 2024 Uncategorized

Supporting Dementia Carers Respite – West Wycombe Choir Easter Concert

The Easter choir concert on Saturday 23rd March in support of Dementia Carers’ Respite was a landmark for West Wycombe Chamber Choir, in terms of funds raised. For each concert, choir manager, Michèle Hodkinson, and her husband, Barry, the musical director, choose a charity to support.

It seems that Dementia Carers’ Respite, the Buckinghamshire charity that funds professional carers to provide respite for family carers of people living with dementia, struck a chord with the choir and their audience, with the latest concert raising an awe-inspiring £1500, the most ever raised from a single concert.

Contributions to the fundraising amount came primarily from ticket sales, a raffle and refreshments sold during the performance. Since it was founded 18 years ago, the choir has sourced a total of over £25,000 for various charities from 3 concerts annually, Easter, summer and Christmas..

All concerts take place at St Lawrence’s, the iconic ‘golden ball’ church on West Wycombe Hill.

Peter Healy, Trustee of Dementia Carers’ Respite said “We are blown away by the amount raised by West Wycombe Chamber Choir. The choir sang like angels and every penny will go towards funding respite for Buckinghamshire’s dementia family carers.”

December 22, 2023 Uncategorized

Wycombe Sound Interview with Mimi Harker

What a fantastic week for Dementia Carers’ Respite! We had an interview on Wycombe Sound Radio Christmas Show, where a charity spokesperson, Jules Sainter, was interviewed by the amazing councillor and passionate advocate of community and charity issues, Mimi Harker (OBE). The interview talks about how the charity supports family  carers of dementia patients by funding a few hours of respite a week, where their loved one is cared for by a professionally trained dementia carer. You can listen to it in full here, or to volunteer, donate or receive respite care yourself, contact support@dementia-respite.org.uk.