Bangor man Paul Feaver and his family raised more than £1,600 at their second annual Memorial Fun Day and football match in memory of his father who passed away from mixed dementia last year.
Paul and his partner Sian Topansa hosted the second Eddie Feaver Memorial Fun Day (7 October) to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK in memory of Paul’s dad, Eddie, who died at the age of 79, having been diagnosed with both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Eddie’s sister Barbara had also passed away from Alzheimer’s, in 2014.
Sian, who helped organise the event with her family, said: “We wanted to do something to commemorate Eddie and at the same time raise money and awareness of Alzheimer’s.
“Eddie was a lifelong West Ham FC fan and had also coached and managed local football teams. His passion for football has been passed down through the generations so it seemed appropriate to hold a football match and fun day on the pitch where Eddie spent so many hours and was such a big part of the local community.”
Sian explained: “We support Alzheimer’s Research UK because we have seen the devastating effect dementia has on those living with it and their families. Watching your loved ones fade away before your eyes and being helpless to stop it makes you feel impotent and lost.
“By raising money for this charity which we know relies solely on fundraising and doesn’t receive any government funding for its research, we feel that even if only one family is spared the suffering we have all endured then it will be worth every minute of the hard work we have all put in.”
From 27th to 31st October, the family will continue their fundraising efforts from a shop in the Deiniol shopping centre in Bangor. This is with a Halloween Spooktacular featuring slime making, clay painting, a children’s tombola and more.
Ceri Smith, Alzheimer’s Research UK Regional Fundraising Officer for Wales, said: “Sian and her family and friends have worked so hard organising this event. Sian is also looking to run other events in the area to fundraise for Alzheimer’s Research UK and we thank Sian and the community of Bangor for their continued support.
“We are currently looking for volunteers to join a fundraising group in the area, to help us make more breakthroughs in dementia research. Our mission is to help bring about a life-changing dementia treatment by 2025 and can only do this with the support of volunteers and fundraisers.”
