Real stories

Staging musical theatre shows to fundraise for dementia

My mum Joyce passed away in 2021. She had heart issues, but she was also diagnosed with dementia about six years before she died. She was one of 14 siblings and 10 of them have had some form of dementia.

I cared for her at home during the pandemic. 

It was hard but it was also an important bonding time for us. I found a level of connection with her that I never expected, and the memories of this time help sustain me now.

It’s important to raise dementia awareness

As well as dementia impacting on my family, I have friends going through the experience of caring for parents with dementia. I’m also supporting my best friend who has frontotemporal dementia. 

That’s why it’s become so important to fundraise and raise awareness about dementia. It shouldn’t be a taboo.

I come from a family of musical theatre lovers – my nephew Ashley is a trained singer and performer, and runs a production company.

So it made sense to use our skills and contacts to start organising charity concerts. 

This year will be the third time we’ve staged an event to fundraise for Alzheimer’s Society and we’ve raised over £6,400 so far.

We have the drive to do something good – it’s a cause that’s close to our hearts.

We want to elevate awareness about dementia but also tell people that there is support available out there.

It’s important to highlight what Alzheimer’s Society does. When I was looking after my mum, I phoned the support line during particularly difficult times. 

We’ve also had wonderful support and encouragement from Siân, our regional fundraising contact at the Society.

How we get our community involved

With close friend Ken, we start planning the show months in advance – Ashley is the driving force and director.

The Bridgwater community gets right behind us. Local businesses, hotels, restaurants and shops generously provide raffle prizes and take adverts out in our programme.

Ken is very well-known in the town, which makes fundraising a little easier!

It happens at the McMillan Theatre, and it’s a very slick and professional show. Ashley’s wife, who works in the West End, stage-manages the whole night and his brother Aaron comperes.

Our performers, who all have roots in Somerset, return to do the show every year because it’s such a special event. 

Jess, our talented musical director, arranges all the music and sends it out to the performers to practise at home. We rehearse everything over video call and meet up in person the night before the show.

Fundraising for dementia is uplifting

This September, our show is called Beyond Broadway and we’re featuring music from composers including Stephen Schwartz, who wrote 'Wicked'.

There’ll be some solos, duets and group songs. We’ve also invited a youth theatre group called MADE to perform – we’re passionate about supporting young talent.

The night will be a mixture of emotions. 

There’s an overwhelming sense of pride and of gratitude to the people who support us and those who perform every year. 

They’re an amazing bunch of people.

My advice to other fundraisers is focus on something that you’re interested in and fires your imagination, and get your community involved. You’ll be amazed what you can achieve together!