AFC Telford fans' memories aid dementia sufferers

AFC Telford United would like to share those memories as part of an innovative project to raise awareness about dementia.

The supporter-owned club is collecting memorabilia from its past to be shown off at a 'pop-up museum' and launch event at the Bucks Head learning centre before the home game against Nuneaton on Saturday.

Photographs already donated include scenes from the former Telford United's visits to Wembley in 1971 – when they beat Hillingdon Borough 3-2 in the final of the FA Trophy – and 1983 when they defeated Northwich Victoria 2-0 in the same competition. Pictures of open-top bus celebrations are also included.

The first to contribute was Telford's oldest supporter Reg Wall, who started watching Wellington Town in 1930 and has supported the club home and away through its subsequent incarnations for 80 years.

Reg has also donated some old programmes and recorded his early memories in an interview with director Dave Topping.

Pete Jackson, who has been working on the project with a team of volunteers, said: "Football provides many stories and great memories for young and old supporters alike.

"Programmes, team sheets, photos, scarves and scrapbooks provide a rich source of prompts to stimulate the minds of people whose short term memory might be failing but whose long term memory is strong."

For carers of dementia sufferers, like AFC Telford United supporter Nigel Neat, the challenges are immense – and supporting someone with dementia can be very challenging.

He said: "Before my mum was diagnosed with dementia it was very frustrating and, at times, scary to watch her struggling to remember simple tasks or things she needed to do.

"On the other hand she continued to recall stories and events from our family's past.

"This project has helped me to think of activities I can do with my mum that are simple and enjoyable for both of us."

The project has had support from Telford & Wrekin Council, the local NHS and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum and it is hoped that the memories which are gathered can eventually become part of a permanent exhibition.

AFC Telford United is the first football club in the country to draw up an action plan to support people with dementia and their families to continue to enjoy live football as part of an active lifestyle.

The project volunteers have been collecting stories and memorabilia using a 'post card from the past', which invites supporters to send their favourite memories and artefacts to the project.

Club sponsor Peter Reynolds, director of Aruba Projects, has gone one step – or wheel – further and is planning a sponsored cycle ride to raise money for dementia charities. He said:

"My company is proud to be associated with this great initiative and, as well as raising funds for the Alzheimer's Society, to do research into this terrible disease, we are also doing something through football to raise awareness of what people can do to help slow down the process with their family and friends."

Mr Reynolds plans to complete a sponsored cycle ride from London to Brussels to raise money for research into the disease.

Dementia is caused by brain diseases, the most common of which is Alzheimer's. In Telford there are 1,760 people diagnosed with dementia – a similar number to Telford's average home attendance this season.

The condition will affect one in three people over 65.

The Alzheimer's Society is the leading support and research charity for people affected by dementia in the UK. It works with others in the Dementia Action Alliance to raise awareness of the disease.

To get involved in the project or submit memories e-mail P.Jackson@tust.org follow #BucksFM on Twitter or go along to the open day on March 30 from 1pm.

To sponsor Mr Reynolds in his sponsored bike ride visit www.justgiving.com/peter-reynolds4