Captains Charity – Silver Birch Centre
In January 2020, during the outbreak of Covid in the UK, I made the difficult decision to leave the family home to care for my 92-year-old mother. My mum, who had just been diagnosed with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB).
Whilst continuing to work, I became Mum’s full-time carer, experiencing some unimaginable situations. Some too horrible to mention in these notes. Dementia is a cruel disease that strips the individual of their personality and slowly closes the body down. Normal functions such as: walking and movement, going to the toilet, eating and chewing become extremely difficult and require constant support. As well as this, memories disappear over a period of time.
My mum had survived a world war and was a feisty East end woman, she became a shell of the person she used to be, and it was incredibly difficult to watch. You would find her just sitting in her favourite chair with a fixed vacant stare. I lost my mum twice; once to dementia and then to the inevitable.
This disease has a major impact on the loved ones that are caring for the people with this disease. Trust me when I say that it takes you to the point of no return - both physically and emotionally! Caring for someone that you love for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, takes an unbelievable toll on you as an individual. Every day turns into Groundhog Day. I, myself, required counselling to help me cope.
As Captain of Castle Point Golf Club for 2025, I was looking for a local charity to support and was directed to – The Silver Birch dementia Daycare Centre in Benfleet, which is part of the Carers Choice Organisation.
This local centre supplies support to the Dementia sufferers, which includes transport to and from the centre, arts & crafts, dancing and singing and many other stimulating activities. Whilst loved ones spend time at the centre, their carers get a valuable respite opportunity and time to enjoy a fully deserved break.
I visited the centre and met with the centre manager Cerys Ramsden. Having seen the invaluable support that they give, I had no hesitation in appointing the Silver Birch Dementia Centre as my official charity for 2025
Yours Sincerely
Eddie
