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Merseyside radio star's guitar shaped donation to dementia charity

by Tom Murphy. Published Fri 21 Sep 2012 15:53, last updated: 21/09/12
Billy Butler with his unusually shaped cheque.
Billy Butler with his unusually shaped cheque.

Money raised by broadcaster Billy Butler will go towards helping 16,000 Merseyside dementia sufferers.

He presented a giant guitar shaped cheque to the Alzheimer's Society worth over £15,000 as part of the Society's Befriending Appeal.

The appeal aimed to raise funds for the charity to establish a network of volunteer visitors supporting people with dementia.

It smashed through the £60,000 target, with a total of £18,200 generated by Billy through a concert at the Liverpool Empire and other fundraising.

Billy said: "I’m absolutely delighted with the amount of money raised. We only had three weeks to sell the show so it was amazing.

"I think the success was due to a great show and a charity people really wanted to support.

"I knew our fundraising was coming to an end so decided to go out with a bang and what better way than a concert at the Liverpool Empire.

"All the acts performed brilliantly and the applause when we mentioned we had some carers in was loud and long.

"The audience were so pleased with the concert they even contributed over £1,200 in a bucket collection on the way out!"

Alzheimer’s Society Befriending manager Mary Horbury, said: "Due to Billy and BBC Radio Merseyside, regular visits by a befriender are enjoyed by many people living with dementia in Merseyside, West Lancashire and North Cheshire .

"We have been told by people how they look forward to their befriending visit all week, enjoy laughing with their befriender, and sharing stories.

"Volunteers have spoken about the sense of enjoyment and all they have learnt from the person they're befriending.

"Where some of the people we visit are living alone and don't have family, their befriender has really helped to lessen their sense of isolation."

The next fund-raiser is the Aintree Memory Walk at the racecourse on Sunday 23 September.



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