A CAMPAIGN to raise £100,000 in order to establish a dementia centre in Clackmannanshire has reached the halfway point.

At the start of the year, the local volunteer fundraising group of Alzheimer Scotland kickstarted their efforts to kit out a dedicated Dementia Resource Centre in the county.

Alzheimer Scotland have nineteen centres throughout Scotland; however, this would be the first within Forth Valley.

The group is now delighted to announce that fundraising has so far raised a little more than £50,000 thanks to the generosity and support of the Wee County public.

A lot of the money has been raised through coffee mornings, ceilidhs, cheese and wine evenings and several sponsored events, as well as at awareness-raising events at the Stirling Marathon, in The Thistle Shopping Centre and at Stirling Albion Football Stadium.

Debbie Cassidy, a spokesperson for the local Alzheimer Scotland Group told the Advertiser why she thinks the campaign is going so well.

She said: "The group all feel passionately that we need to deliver a Dementia Resource Centre to the Stirling and Clackmannanshire area as soon as possible.

"All members of the group have lived with or are living with someone with dementia. The disease is on the increase and there is no cure.

"Sadly in this age of constant cutbacks, even if councils would wish to contribute more to the care and support of people living with dementia the reality is there is not enough money to go around.

"We feel that in providing a Dementia Resource Centre we will offer a one-stop hub for everyone affected by Dementia in the area.

"Charities providing services will have the opportunity to work alongside one another delivering the best possible support for carers and cared-for alike.

"The centre is of particular need in our two council areas since it is recognised that we live within an above average ageing population.

"A Dementia Resource Centre can offer a lifeline to ensure that no two individuals have the same journey and so there is someone to listen, understand and support them.

"The local branch would be delighted if anyone would like to help them along the way or volunteer with them."

Debbie wished to pay a huge thank you to local businesses who have so far contributed, such as Falcon Foodservice Equipment, Stirling Netball Club and Darkhorse Tattoo Parlour in Alloa.

Nearby organisations such as the Rotary Club of Carse of Stirling, Bridge of Allan Round Table, the Give as You Earn scheme of the Ogilvie Group, and Arnold Clark have also donated to the campaign.