Patient fundraises an extraordinary £1000 to donate to Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust’s Dementia Service | Our News

Geraldine and Melvin Topp fundraised £1000 to donate to Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust’s (CWPT) Charity. The donation is to go towards the Dementia Service to show gratitude for the support the team at CWPT has given them.

Both Geraldine and Melvin have been ballroom dancing for many years. Since Melvin took over managing a local ballroom dancing group several years ago, with the help of other key members of the group.

Geraldine was diagnosed with dementia in March 2023 and was referred to CWPT’s Dementia Services for assessment and support.

As Geraldine has come to terms with, and accepted, her diagnosis of dementia and Melvin has stepped up as a supportive and understanding carer, they decided to donate the funds raised to local dementia support.

When asked about what the donation means to him, Melvin Topp said: “It meant everything to the both of us. The feeling of giving back to the community is wonderful and the afternoon was lovely. Being able to give something back to the local community makes the hard work worth it. I couldn’t fault CWPT’s services, they’ve been brilliant, and Yas’ help in organising the event was really great.”

Jon Pargetor, Mental Health Practitioner, supported Geraldine during her time accessing CWPT’s services and said: “I worked with a bright and gentle lady who was struggling to accept a recent diagnosis of dementia. Following initial discussions in our 1:1 sessions, Melvin attended a carer’s support course. Both were very engaged in the sessions and they worked through a lot. They were appreciative of the opportunity to learn more and grow as they navigated their journey. Upon completion of the therapeutic sessions, they offered a generous donation to help support our Dementia Services and projects in North Warwickshire, raised by the good people at their dance club. The dance group personifies the spirit with which they have adapted their lives to incorporate the changes that they have experienced: with smiles, energy, and grace, both on and off the dance floor.”

Yaseen Ahmedabadi, CWPT’s Charitable Funds Coordinator, said: “It was amazing to see so many older people coming together and enjoying themselves. Through a weekly get-together and sticking to the basics, this group helps to support good health and wellbeing. The donation means a lot to CWPT’s Charity Funds and I’m looking forward to working with them again in the future.”

Are you inspired by Geraldine and Melvin’s heart-warming story and interested in raising funds yourself? Contact Charitable.Funds@covwarkpt.nhs.uk for more information on how you can get involved.