Alzheimer's Research UK

Nottinghamshire fundraiser’s £1200 challenge

29/11/2011

A dedicated Sutton-in-Ashfield fundraiser, whose wife has Alzheimer’s disease, is taking on a £1200 challenge for Alzheimer’s Research UK. Gordon Hobbs, who signed up for the charity’s Target Twelve Hundred challenge, has plenty of money-raising ideas up his sleeve to help him reach his target.

Gordon, 76, was inspired to take up the challenge after his wife of 54 years, Dinah, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. By signing up to Target Twelve Hundred, supporters of the charity pledge to raise £1200 in 12 months – and with help from his daughters, Ruth and Susan, Gordon has already managed to raise more than half of his target in a matter of weeks.

Gordon kicked off his challenge with a bowls tournament at Teversal Grange Bowls Club in September, where Dinah handed out prizes to the winners. Thanks to the generosity of the club’s members, coupled with money raised from a raffle at his daughter Ruth’s workplace, Gordon’s fundraising total already stands at £752.

He now hopes to boost that total in December, when he will hold a ‘magical mince pie and coffee morning’ at his home for friends and family, complete with a magician to entertain his guests. With Christmas just around the corner, Gordon also plans to use his Christmas cards to spread the message about his fundraising challenge, in the hope of inspiring some festive donations. Meanwhile Ruth is planning a cheese and wine ladies’ night, with a prize draw that includes a chance to win a day out at Center Parcs.

Gordon said:
“The bowls tournament was a wonderful day, and it was made all the more special because Dinah was there to give out prizes to the winners. Everyone has been so supportive and generous that I’m confident we’ll reach the £1200 target in no time.

“Before Dinah was diagnosed, I’d heard of Alzheimer’s disease but I had no idea what effect it had on people, and it came as a huge shock. To know that a person is not going to get better, but will only get worse, is dreadful, and I wouldn’t like anyone else to go through what I’m going through. Research is the only answer to dementia, and Alzheimer’s Research UK are the research experts, which is why I’ve chosen to support them.”

Miranda Mays, Community Fundraising Manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
“We can’t thank Gordon enough for making this commitment, and it’s incredible to see that he’s raised so much in such a short time. He’s already well on the way to reaching his £1200 target, which will fund 60 hours of pioneering research and bring us closer to finding preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia.

“There are more than 9,000 people with dementia in Nottinghamshire alone, and that number is increasing. Dementia can only be defeated through research, but we need the support and dedication of people like Gordon to help us reach that goal.”

Anyone wishing to donate to Gordon or sign up to the Target Twelve Hundred challenge should contact fundraising@alzheimersresearchuk.org or call 01223 843899.