A DUNDRUM girl has raised money for a local charity in memory of her grandmother.
Lucy Hanna (8) presented a cheque for £1,200 to The Happiness Café at the Nautilus Centre in Kilkeel last Wednesday morning (30 October).
Fintan and Marie from The Happiness Cafés charity accepted the cheque on behalf of the café.
Lucy was accompanied by her parents, Samuel and Beverly Hanna, her brother, Adam, and other family members.
Lucy decided she wanted to raise some money for The Happiness Cafe in memory of her Nana, Dora Hanna. Dora loved to attend the cafe and participate in the games, crafts, activities and listen to the live music.
Lucy raised the funds by holding ‘Lucy’s Dazzling Dander’.
She took a ‘dander’ around Kilkeel with friends and family where everyone had to wear something dazzling and glittery.
This was not the first time that the Hanna family has been involved in fundraising for the café.
Lucy’s brother Adam, aged 7 at the time, raised an amazing £1,050 back in 2019 by getting on his bike and riding from Dundrum to Newcastle.
Lucy and Adam still love to visit The Happiness Cafe when they are off school with their Granda Raymond. The cafe provides a safe and supportive space for local people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia to meet with their carers.
Lucy and her family would like to thank everyone who helped with the fundraising for their kind generosity.
The Happiness Cafes is a registered charity that works to enrich the lives of people with dementia and their carers through the volunteer-run Cherished Memories Café.
These are free sessions involving refreshments and give participants a chance to form new friendships and meet with others navigating similar challenges. Activities may including music and singalongs, art, chair yoga and therapeutic activities.
“Our focus is on providing cognitive stimulation and gentle exercise tailored to individual needs, along with plenty of supportive hugs,” a spokesperson for The Happiness Cafes said.
Marie O’Brien, CEO of The Happiness Cafes, said that they appreciated Lucy’s kind gesture and hard work in fundraising for them.
“We are incredibly thankful for the generosity of community members like Lucy, whose fundraising efforts have been invaluable.
“Her initiative and the support of the Hanna family have been a beacon of hope for us. We fondly remember Dora and are certain she would be proud of Lucy and Adam for their kindness,” Marie said.
“Our charity does not receive government funding, relying instead on grants and community support.
“Unfortunately, the availability of grants has decreased over the past year, making local support crucial for our survival.”
“Every penny raised by local heroes like Lucy goes directly to supporting our mission at The Happiness Cafes. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributes to our cause, helping us continue to provide a haven of joy, support, and purpose for those affected by dementia,” she said.