MP to say "Darn to dementia"

East Devon MP Hugo Swire will join locals raising money for dementia at a knitting-themed coffee morning on Saturday (May 12).

The ‘Darn To Dementia’ event is being organised by local fundraiser Jo Earlam who recently ran the London Marathon for BRACE.

Jo said she wanted people to bring along knitted scarves and jumpers to help raise much needed cash for dementia research.
Her own father was recently diagnosed with dementia and both her grandparents died from the brain disease. In addition a close friend has been diagnosed with PCA, the same type of dementia as the author Terry Pratchett.

Local MP Hugo Swire got in touch with Jo after he read about her fundraising efforts in the local newspaper. So far she has raised £1,000 for BRACE.

Mr Swire said, “There can hardly be a family in this County who have not been affected by Alzheimer’s. I am hugely supportive of any efforts made to research this hideous condition which blights so many people’s lives.”

Jo said the coffee morning, to be held at Tipton St John Community Hall from 10 - 12.30pm, was open to anyone who wanted to support Alzheimer’s research.

She said, “It would be great if we can get as many people along as possible. There’ll be tea, coffee and cakes – and of course a lot of local knitting.

“The knitting theme came about because dementia leaves people frayed at the edges, much like most of my knitting efforts.

“Don’t worry if you can’t knit yourself, you can still come along and enjoy the event.

“It’s wonderful that Hugo Swire is coming along to support us. I know that he’s very interested in dementia so it will be great to hear his views on how we can work together as a community to combat this terrible illness.”