Football Against Dementia continued their support for the local community on Saturday afternoon by making a generous £500 donation to the Grimsby Town Foundation’s Memory Group at Blundell Park.
Ahead of the Mariners’ Sky Bet League Two fixture against Barrow, Football Against Dementia Director Steve Cozens visited the stadium to present a cheque to representatives from the Memories Group, recognising the important work being carried out through the club’s dementia support sessions.
Football Against Dementia (FAD) is a not-for-profit social enterprise with a simple but powerful aim: bringing the football family together in support of those affected by dementia. Through practical help, guidance and ongoing support, the organisation works closely with individuals, families and carers, using a shared love of the game to build meaningful connections.
The initiative is supported by a number of high-profile ambassadors, many of whom have personal experience of dementia affecting friends, family members or former teammates. Figures such as Alan Brazil, Asa Hartford, Chris Sutton and Claire Rafferty have all helped raise awareness for the cause, while others, including Grant Peters (son of England World Cup winner Martin Peters) continue to play an active role in supporting the organisation’s work.
Earlier this season, Cozens and fellow FAD directors visited one of the Foundation’s weekly Memory Group sessions at Blundell Park. During the visit, they saw first-hand the warmth, camaraderie and strong sense of community within the group, with participants coming together to share stories, memories and conversation.
Following that visit, Football Against Dementia kindly made a £500 donation to support the initiative, helping to provide lunch for those attending the sessions, a gesture that has been greatly appreciated by everyone involved.
The club’s Wednesday morning Memory Group has grown significantly in recent months and has now reached full capacity, highlighting both its success and the growing demand for dementia-friendly community initiatives.
In response, the Foundation has introduced an additional session, which will initially take place on the first Wednesday of each month at 1pm.
The sessions are open to anyone aged 60 and over, with no requirement other than an interest in sport, football and enjoying conversation over a cup of tea. As well as celebrating the shared love of the game, the group plays an important role in tackling loneliness and social isolation by providing a welcoming and friendly environment for people to come together.
The club would like to thank Steve Cozens and everyone at Football Against Dementia for their continued support and for the incredible work they do in bringing people together through the power of football.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Memories Group sessions can contact the club for further details here.
UTM