Coleraine Rugby Football and Cricket Club has announced that the Alzheimer’s Society will be the Club’s official charity for 2016.

Coleraine Rugby Football and Cricket Club has announced that the Alzheimer’s Society will be the Club’s official charity for 2016.

The club recently decided to do something for charity each year, to compliment the many sporting activities at the club. Many members of the club, like so many people across the country, have personal experience of this dementia and it was an easy choice as the inaugural official charity partner.

Club chairman Nigel Handforth said: “As we approach the Centenary of our club in 2021 we have been looking at ways to positively develop our connection with the community and we have decided that, as a club, we will now support a specific charity with local connections each year.

“For our first charity we have chosen the Alzheimer’s Society which has a local branch in the Coleraine area. It is an issue that affects so many people in the community, including the members of our club, and we are very pleased to be able to contribute to the valuable work they do.

“We will be organising a number of events for members in the coming year, to raise awareness of dementia, and to raise funds, starting with a quiz at the club on Friday, 19 February. I know that the members of the club will enjoy supporting Alzheimer’s Society.”

Adrian Friel, Services Manager for Alzheimer’s Society, said: “I am delighted with this new venture. It is an amazing opportunity in the Coleraine area to heighten the awareness of dementia within the local community as well helping to provide vital funds for services for people affected by dementia.”

Helen Taylor, Dementia Support worker for the Causeway area, said: “We are really excited by the opportunity to work alongside the members of the Rugby, Cricket and Hockey teams in the coming year to bring dementia to the fore in the local sporting community. With the help of the teams and the members of the club we can care for people affected by dementia while searching for a cure for tomorrow.”

A fundraising quiz for club members and friends will be held at the club on Friday 19 February, starting at 8.00pm.