Trust moving towards battling dementia in Hamilton
Two women who want to establish a music therapy programme for dementia sufferers in Hamilton have set their sights on raising $1 million.
(centre) and Vicki Jones (right) with fellow
trustee Helen McGann. Photo supplied.
Two women who want to establish a music therapy programme for dementia sufferers in Hamilton have set their sights on raising $1 million.
Kath Woodley and Vicki Jones have set up the Music Moves Me Trust to get their idea off the ground.
“Vicki and I got together in June [last year] and decided that this was what we wanted to do,” said Woodley.
Jones is a doctor while Woodley has qualifications as a music teacher, and are in the process of raising the million dollars and connecting with other organisations throughout Hamilton.
“We’ve raised about $5,000 in straight donations and have a number of applications for grants up in the air,” said Woodley.
One of their community based fundraisers was the Budget Bashing Bazaar, held recently at the Wesley Hall in Claudelands.
Woodley had collected lost property clothing from schools all around Hamilton, items which would have otherwise gone to the dump, washed them and put them on sale.
Jones commented that there were “plenty of people walking out with push chairs full of clothing,” and that both she and Woodley were happy to see it happening.
Along with clothing, some stalls were selling second hand household, books and even cotton candy and pop corn.
Along with the proceeds of the Budget Bashing Bazaar the Music Moves Me Trust is hoping that a number of applications for grants are successful.
“Every dollar counts and is incredibly important,” said Woodley as they aim to be able to hire a therapist as soon as possible.
The women formed the trust because they want to help sufferers from dementia to regain or retain at least part of their former selves.
Music therapy may also help them to reconnect with friends and loved ones, according to research the two women, and others, have done.
The Budget Bashing Bazaar raised $400 and the Music Moves Me Trust is organising several events for New Zealand Music Month.
The Music Moves Me Trust have a stall at the Hamilton East Market on the first and third Sundays of every month.
