Night coming to Bumper to raise awareness of Dementia

Before I Forget (BIF) is a charity event, organised and hosted by Hannah Davey of Wavertree. The event runs on a zero-pound budget, with 100% of proceeds being donated to Alzheimer’s Society. The event is in its third year of running, having gone from strength to strength; raising more than £2,500 to date in its efforts.
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia support and research charity, assisting anyone affected by any form of dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The charity provides information and practical and emotional support to help people live well with dementia, and also invest in world-class research with the ultimate goal of defeating it.

The Society campaigns to improve public understanding of dementia and the devastating impact it can have, and make sure it’s taken seriously and acted on by our governments.

Dementia can happen to anyone and there’s currently no cure. There are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK at present, with that number set to rise to 1 million by 2021.

Hannah, the organiser of BIF relates to this cause all too well, having lost her Nan to the disease in March 2012, after a long and harrowing battle.

“My Nan was such a proud, intelligent woman; and was always so well kept. She had a sense of humour like no other, and was always fast in forming a quip in reply to my Grandad. Alzheimer’s/Dementia completely devolved her. She was stripped of her ability to recognise herself, her husband of 60 years, her children and grandchildren. She was incapable of the most basic task, including personal care; rendered unable to live independently and safely. It’s pretty grim, but this is the reality of the disease that is generally unknown. It was a truly heart-breaking experience, and something that I carry with me in daily life.  Alzheimer’s/Dementia is NOT a natural part of ageing, and we SHOULD challenge it!
With vital funding, new discoveries and progress in treatments are improving all the time – but still no cure; despite the disease affecting 850,000 people in the UK right now.”

With this in mind, Hannah got to work putting her degree in Public Relations to use, and the organising of her series of events, BEFORE I FORGET (a play on words from one of her favourite songs) – first started back in 2013.
BIF hosts performances from local talent, with bands taking to the stage for an evening of alternative/rock/metal music, a large raffle; and even party games. Hannah works closely with local businesses to establish an understanding of Alzheimer’s/Dementia; and has secured some impressive prizes for her raffle – which can be entered for £1. This year’s event is taking place at Bumper, Harman Street on Saturday 30^th April 2016 from 8pm.
“I put my heart and soul into BIF, and aim to improve the event yearly. I receive such overwhelming messages of support from people I don’t even know – that is humbling.
This year, I have had prizes donated from the likes of Iceland, The London Carriage Works, 4 Liverpool based Tattoo studios, Mersey Games, Liverpool U-Pole and more. Without the help of these companies, I would not be able to support my dream in finding a cure for Alzheimer’s Dementia. For fun, we play games such as ‘Bite the Bag’ and Musical Chairs – which keeps everyone entertained.
This year we will see Liverpool bands Kryocell, Tommy Tenderloin and the Peppercorn Kids and Rain May Fall, as well as Leeds-based band Jupiter Falls of Leeds take to the stage. Support has come in all forms, and we even have backing from an alternative radio/promotion outlet – DeeRocks. We usually see 100+ people attending and supporting our cause, and this year I hope for the same, if not more! I am genuinely overwhelmed by the generosity of Liverpool, and in particular the Alternative community – who never fail to back me!”

You can find out more about BIF, including the list of raffle prizes at www.facebook.com/beforeiforget2016. You can contact Hannah with any queries at beforeiforget2016@hotmail.com.