By Cleethorpes son launches musical challenge for dementia research in memory of late mother
A 48-year-old man is launching a unique musical challenge for dementia research after he was inspired by his late mother, Joyce Allard, who lived in a care home in Grimsby.
Music teacher and former radio presenter James Allard came up with the idea for the 7 Lyric Challenge when he witnessed the power of music on people suffering with Alzheimer’s disease.
Towards the end of Joyce’s life, she had trouble remembering who her son was, but was still able to recall nearly all the words to her favourite songs from The Sound of Music.
James said: “We are asking people to post a favourite song lyric on their social media page for 7 days, with a link to my 7 Lyric Challenge fundraising page. Each day they should tag a friend, and I’m asking for a donation of just £7 (or whatever you can afford) to Alzheimer’s Research UK, so that other families in the future can be spared the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.
“Right up to the end of her life, Mum’s face would light up when she heard a song she loved. I want to channel the wonderful significance of music in our lives to both honour Mum and help Alzheimer’s Research UK to make breakthroughs possible.”
The 7 Lyric Challenge is launching on 12 April, and James is hoping that as many people as possible will hear about it and join in.
“Almost everybody will have songs that are important to them – maybe just a lyric that makes you smile, something that takes you back to a holiday, a first date or another happy memory,” he added.
James explains the challenge further in this video:
James Warren, Regional Fundraising Officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We’re so grateful to James for supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK. Dementia affects a significant proportion of the population – one in three people over 65 in the UK will die with some form of the condition. Fantastic fundraising efforts like this will help us to make life-changing research breakthroughs for people with dementia.
“I also think that this will be a great challenge for people to take part in with their friends and family, helping people to share their important memories and connect with each other.”
James is aiming to raise a minimum of £1,300 for the charity, which funds world-class studies on the prevention, diagnosis and treatments for dementia.
There are almost one million people in the UK living with dementia, with no current treatments to slow, stop or prevent the diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, that cause it.
You can read more about getting involved and donate to James’ musical challenge for dementia research here.
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