Press Release

Mayor announces Charity Cook Off Challenge

Monday, 28 April 2008

The Mayor and nominated chefs from Derry City Council will take part in a charity cook-off challenge on Tuesday 07th May, 7.30pm at the Guildhall to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society and the Foyle Branch of the Parkinson’s Awareness Society.

The evening will mix the successful skills of chef and staff from the catering section of the North West Regional College with competing elected chefs from Derry City Council to win the coveted first place position.

The Mayor, Drew Thompson said that he’s happy to roll up his sleeves for these worthy charities: “There are currently over 700,000 people who have dementia in the UK and there are more than 3000 people in Northern Ireland who are affected by Parkinson’s Disease. Anything that I can do as part of my year as Mayor to raise awareness and much needed funding towards these charities is an important statement of community support”.

Raising money towards these charities will help raise needed funds for research, advice and support.

The Mayor concluded: “The Charity Cook-Off will be an easy social evening showing the good, bad and not so ugly cooking skills from the participants. I am really thankful for the support of elected members and staff of Derry City Council, North West Regional College, Flo Gas, Prestige Catering and other sponsors who have donated prizes and their time to assist with this event.

“The city has a reputation of a strong community spirit that willingly cares about others and I hope as many people as possible can join us on the Tuesday 07th for a social evening of fun”.

The event will be compered by Martin Mullan and tickets priced at £10 and can be purchased by contacting Derry City Council, Tel: 028 71376504. A supper with refreshments will also be served as part of the Charity Cook-Off.

Ends

Notes to Editor:

(*) statistical sources from the Alzheimer’s society annual review 2006/7.

The Alzheimer’s Society is a membership organisation, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Many of our 25,000 members have personal experience of dementia, as carers, health professionals or people with dementia themselves, and their experiences help to inform their work.

Dementia is a term used to describe various different brain disorders that have in common a loss of brain function that is usually progressive and eventually severe. For further information on the disease log onto http://www.alzheimers.org.uk

Parkinson’s Disease is caused by a dopamine deficiency and effects movement such as walking, talking and writing. Dopamine allows messages to be sent to the parts of the brain that co-ordinate movement. It is estimated there are more than 300 people living with the illness in the northwest.

The Foyle Branch of the Parkinson’s Disease Society is dedicated to providing information support and advice to those who suffer from the disease and their families. They provide information on how to cope with the disease at a young age, how to carry on working after your diagnosis and what to expect as the illness progresses.

More information is available online at www.parkinsons.org.uk

Ends

For additional information contact:

Press Office

return to previous page