Navan Alzheimer's Day Centre is now dependant on fundraising to stay open

As the Alzheimer Day Centre in Navan struggles to keep going following a massive cut in funding from the HSE, local groups have been helping to raise funds to keep its doors open. The recent Lorraine Gorman Memorial Walk raised a staggering €17,025 for the centre while the recent Donegal to Dingle cycle by Ned Ward and Keith Keogan raised €3,600 (and not €36,000 as reported in error last week) which will go directly towards the Navan centre at Whistlemount. Because of the HSE funding cuts and the downturn in the economy, the centre is now more than ever dependant on such funding to maintain its services. The centre is open six days per week and must cover more than half of its running costs from donations and fundraising. In fact, they will have to raise a massive €100,000 this year to keep the service going, according to Gerry Leech, treasurer of the Alzheimer Society's Meath branch. "We appreciate the help we have been receiving from the local community and we need to continue getting that support. It is a huge ask to make up the difference in funding since the HSE implemented the cuts," he said. In August, Lorraine Gorman's (nee Quinn) husband, Ray, and her family organised and ran an event in her memory - a walk to the top of Lugnaquilla, the highest mountain peak in Leinster, to raise money for the day centre where Lorraine's mother has been attending and getting great essential care for the past 10 years. There were two main objectives to the walk: remembering Lorraine and raising essential funds for the centre in Navan, with a side benefit of getting people out in the open air to increase their fitness. By remembering Lorraine Gorman, it meant that three years after her untimely death from cancer, her friends and relatives could celebrate her favourite pastime of walking. A total of 80 people turned up to walk the Lugnaquilla Mountain and extreme wet and windy conditions proved an even greater test to the walkers. All the walkers proudly wore their 'Lorraine Gorman Memorial Walk' t-shirts sporting the logo 'Walk To Remember'. Walkers came from Kilmessan, Lorraine's home, Dublin and all over Ireland as well as Russia. Age did not hinder them, with the youngest, Josh Kinsella, aged seven years and the oldest, Chris Liddy, at 69 years old. The eight volunteer guides on the day ensured the safety of all the walkers in thick cloud and constant rain, and soup and sandwiches were very welcome at the finish line. Cathal Duffy Minibus Services got people there, Cyclone Couriers fed them, Containerships Ireland supplied the t-shirts and Fergie's pub in Kilmessan provided the venue for the presentation of the €17,025 cheque to Gerry Leech and the team of the Alzheimer Day Centre. The organisers have extended a heartfelt thanks to all who made the effort on the day, those who operated behind the scenes and to those who made donations.   The County Meath Scouts will undertake another Lorraine Gorman walk this Sunday, 11th October, with all funds again going to the Alzheimer Day Centre, Navan. Donations can be made directly to Alzheimer Day Centre, Navan, or through TSB Navan, Account no 00047791, sort code 990615.