A feast to remember

In an effort to support those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and their carers, Mrs Raymond is taking part in Alzheimer’s Australia WA Bring it to the Table fundraising event for the second year by holding a Thai-themed dinner party on June 15 for friends and family, in honour of her late father.

With more than 30 years of experience working in the disability and aged care industry, and with her father diagnosed with dementia, the 54-year-old mother of two said it was her passion to raise awareness and share her knowledge.

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Dementia is the impairment of thinking and memory that interferes with a person’s ability to do things they previously were able to do and Alzheimer’s disease was the common cause of dementia.

‘I’m passionate about supporting people with dementia and I’m also passionate about food so when I heard about the Bring it to the Table event I was really keen to participate,’ she said.

‘I think it’s a great way for people whose families have been touched by dementia or Alzheimer’s to get involved in a fun way that can help raise crucial funds needed to raise dementia awareness, which is so common in our community.

‘It’s the fastest growing disease in the western population because we are all living longer and even though we can cure a heart we can’t cure the mind.’

According to Alzheimer’s Australia WA there are more than 320,000 Australians living with dementia, with this number expected to reach more than half a million by 2030.

‘A horrific amount of people are diagnosed with dementia,’ Mrs Raymond said.

‘Dad was diagnosed about 18 months ago but he had been showing signs of dementia for the passed seven years.

‘He was deteriorating in his cognitive ability.

‘It was really horrible seeing dad like that, especially when he was a really meticulous and proud man.

‘But he really held in there. He only really lost his spark in his eye six weeks ago.’

Mrs Raymond said the most important thing to her was for her father to have a dignified life and wished the same for all dementia and Alzheimer’s sufferers.

‘I want to raise as much money as I can to help those who have dementia or Alzheimer’s to have a diginified life.

The Bring it to the Table fundraiser event is open now and will run until the end of June.

To get involved go to www.bringittothetable.com.au or donate to Alzheimer’s Australia through Mrs Raymond’s fundraising link bringittothetablewa.everydayhero.com/au/ronda-raymond.