FOCUS: "Rather than feeling down, I came up with a birthday celebration with a difference!"

Monday 03 January 2022

Express has been proud to support Dementia Jersey throughout 2021, and as the year draws to a close, we met three of its fundraisers.

Sally Minty-Gravett, Simone Sains, Noella Gallichan shared how and why they got involved...

Sally Minty-Gravett MBE

Tell us about your involvement with Dementia Jersey?

I was the Aquatics Development manager at the AquaSplash, when Sarah Blake and Mark Blamey (previous CEO of the charity) were setting up a dementia swimming group called ‘splash chat’ and I was asked to be the main assessor of abilities.

The group started in 2012. I loved the atmosphere, watching everyone and their capabilities as they went in and had fun with gentle exercise. I would organise fun aqua exercises with everyone, and we would often sing along too, it was always a lovely 30 minutes. 

This was then followed with coffee & biscuits where my little dog Charlie (a therapy dog) used to also come along to see everyone.

Towards the end of my late husband’s life (long distance swimmer, Charlie Gravett, who played a big part in producing Jersey long-distance swimmers), he used to join us in the pool, and for coffee afterwards. With the dog, we were a great team of three.

Outside teaching people to swim, I have swum the channel 5 times – 2021 would have marked my final, 6^th decade solo channel swim from Dover to Calais, in memory of my late husband Charlie with funds going to Dementia Jersey. Whilst currently delayed, I have to date raised £16,626!

How helpful do you think swimming is for people with dementia?

Swimming helps everyone including those with dementia, with their cognitive & physical health and boosts mental well-being tremendously. 

It is especially good for mobility issues - and it’s great fun too!

Splash chat is an extremely successful programme - so much so it won a Government health award, and back in 2017 Sarah, Mark and I went out to Kyoto in Japan to present the activity at the Annual world Dementia conference, where it was received with amazement; we were all very proud of our work.

Simone Sains

How long have you been a volunteer, and why do you take part?

I’ve been volunteering for Dementia Jersey for about five years and fundraising for over 15 years. The charity is very close to my heart.  My mum passed away five years ago after living with Alzheimer’s for over 15 years. She was diagnosed at the young age of 57.

I get involved in the events and I regularly help out at the Monday sing-along activity. Seeing the smiles that the music and singing brings to everyone is so gratifying.

Tell us about the 50-mile challenge you created.

I set up the 50-mile challenge (an event encouraging people to get their steps in by walking or running 50 miles in January) to raise awareness and funds for the charity.  As a keen runner I was inspired by ‘virtual’ events that I had completed.  My idea was to give everyone the opportunity to complete the challenge, wherever and whenever they wanted during the month of January. It was a great event that had a real sense of community, bringing people of all ages together with their own reasons to challenge themselves. The event raised around £20K and had amazing feedback, so we have decided to do it again in January 2022.

Noella Gallichan

Tell us about the events you’ve organised

I’ve had the joy of organising and getting involved in many fundraising activities such as a film night with food showing the Dementia focused Film ‘Iris’, trek Sahara, abseiling and even bag packing. I also did the Big Hymn Sing in 2019 in memory of mother, which has helped me in my journey to grieve. 

All my inspiration and desire to fundraise has come from personal experience in caring and supporting my late mother Jeanne, who lived with vascular dementia. Whilst I gave up my life to look after mum for several years, I also wanted to recognize the valued support I received from the charity during that time. 

My most successful to date was my 60th birthday challenge. Rather than feeling down about covid-19 restrictions preventing planned celebrations, I came up with a birthday celebration with a difference!! I decided to do my version of a triathlon around the number 60 - 60 seconds swim in Havre des Pas pool, a 60-minute cycle and then a 60-minute walk. I kept it simple!! My husband’s business, Pedal Power, sponsored my efforts which collectively raised over £1,300! I found it inspirational to see something negative like a covid-19 lockdown being turned around into something of a positive benefit!! 

What have you got planned next? 

I keep being inspired by life events, such as my recent wedding. I asked for donations to be made to the charity as a wedding gift alternative.  Giving the option of donating has given me a great sense of joy, but I’m taking it a step further! I’m extending fundraising to incorporate the crazy idea of trashing my wedding dress next year by wearing it whilst completing the round-the-island walk! Things like this keep my creative juices alive with fresh ideas and challenges!! 

If you wish to support Dementia Jersey, please contact info@dementia.je or call 01534 723519.

This article first appeared in the November issue of Connect, which you can read HERE.