THE inaugural dementia-friendly ‘forget-me-not’ church service has declared “a huge success” by those attending All Saints Church on Friday.

Dementia-friendly Alton spokesman Karen Murrell said: “During the sensitive and meaningful service, led by reverends Rachel Sturt and Debbie Thrower, members of the congregation were encouraged to share the name of loved ones affected by dementia by adding names to hand crafted forget-me-nots that formed a beautiful centrepiece at front of the church.”

After the service, afternoon tea, a grand raffle and a lively singalong followed in the Church Hall, where more than £500 was raised for dementia initiatives by Kate Dando and her family.

This, together with donations before and after the event, means that £630 will be presented for local support to help people with dementia.

Mrs Murrell said: “The Dandos have been fundraising tirelessly for 24 years in the Alton area and in this time have raised, supported by generous friends, more than £22,000 for dementia charities.”

Terry Eccott, an ambassador for the Alzheimers Society, presented an update on his campaigning around the UK.

It is anticipated that following this successful church service, a ‘forget-me-not’ service will become an annual event in Alton.

Anyone wising to attend a lively singalong, designed to support people with dementia and memory loss, is invited to attend the ‘Memory Lane’ events hosted by Orchard House and led by musician Paul Tickner. They will be held twice a month on Fridays from 11am-12.15pm. Next month, they will be held on September 7 and September 21.

For more details about dementia-friendly events around Alton, visit dementia-friendly-alton.org.uk.