Charity Race Night Raises £5,500 For Dementia Care Home

A mother and daughter from Manchester raised over £5,500 for EachStep Blackley, the dementia care home that supported their loved one for three years, this weekend. This money will help fund a special new cinema room in the award winning specialist care service. 

Elaine Young and Frankie Conroy held a Charity Race Night at the Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester on Friday 11th November. During the evening a special auction was held, featuring items donated by Manchester United, former WBA lightweight boxing champion, Anthony Crolla and BetVictor. Together their donations raised almost £500.

EachStep Blackley supports 60 people who live with dementia and is part of the national social care charity Community Integrated Care. Elaine’s father, Frankie’s grandfather, lived at EachStep for three years, before he passed away earlier this year. In recognition for what they describe as ‘heart-warming and inspiring care’ they have dedicated themselves to fundraising and volunteering for the home.

The event was attended by The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Carl Austin-Behan, who gave a touching speech, poignantly sharing his own experiences of supporting loved ones with dementia.

Guests included relatives, friends and staff members from EachStep Blackley who all raised money by taking part in a raffle and bidding on the auction items. It was sponsored by the Lord Mayor’s Charity, welovemcrcharity, and Northwards Housing.  

Elaine and Frankie were recently shortlisted at the prestigious National Dementia Care Awards for the Best Relative Contribution Award, recognising their significant efforts to give back to the home – from organising sky dives to creating a dementia support group. This weekend’s efforts saw their total fundraising surpass £18,000.

The new cinema room at EachStep Blackley will allow people supported at the home to enjoy watching their favourite films and television shows with their loved ones. This enhances the special facilities at the home, which includes a sensory room, therapy rooms, a coffee shop and library.

Elaine Young said: “We had such a brilliant night and can’t believe we received over £5,500 for EachStep Blackley. The team are absolutely priceless – they did so much for my Dad and us as a family. This is our way of saying thank you.” 

Elaine continues: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our local community. I’d like to thank the local businesses who donated money, supplies and services to help make it such a success.”

Michelle Phillips, Manager of EachStep Blackley, says: “We are so privileged to have such dedicated support from Elaine and Frankie. They worked so hard to put on such an amazing and professional Race Night. We can’t wait for the people we support to get into the cinema room and enjoy watching their favourite films on the big screen.”