Wirral actress Patricia Routledge comes home for tour of Age Concern's new dementia wing (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral actress Patricia Routledge comes home for tour of Age Concern's new dementia wing

10:51am Thursday 18th February 2010

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BIRKENHEAD-born actress Patricia Routledge returned to her hometown this week for a tour of Age Concern Wirral's new dementia care wing.

Because of increasing demands on its services, the organisation has had to extend its building in Park Road North, Birkenhead, by adding a new extension at a cost of £1.3m.

Once open, the new wing will cater specially for younger people with dementia who are often more physically active and whose needs are very different from those of the more elderly.

During her visit to the centre on Wednesday, the London-based Keeping Up Appearances star was given a tour of the facility and met staff from the organisation.

Afterwards, Patricia, who is also patron of the appeal and celebrated her 81st birthday on the day of the visit, told the Globe: "I'm absolutely delighted with this development. I hadn't, in fact, seen the older part of the building before.

"I'd visited the offices when I was here for Wear A Hat day four years ago and we had a great day, but there wasn't time to come up here and to the other centres.

"I think it's absolutely wonderful. It's beautifully adapted and the quality of the finished work is really first-rate."

Age Concern Wirral has raised £1m for the project. But it needs to raise £300,000 for building costs and furniture that will be used in the new wing. This is where your help is needed.

You can help by donating at any of Age Concern's shops across Wirral or any collection boxes marked for the Dementia Wing Appeal.

There are currently 4,294 people over 65 diagnosed with dementia, and 120 under 65 living with the condition.

Myrtle Lacey, chief executive of Age Concern Wirral, said: "We are so extited about this new wing. It's going to be a fantastic resource and it's what the people have really needed for quite some time, because there's no dedicated facility for younger dementia sufferers.

"We're delighted with the support we've had so far, particularly from the Primary Care Trust, to enable us to get this new wing built.

"We're not finished in our fundraising yet, and have quite a way to go to finish off paying the building costs and, of course, to furnish the wing.

"We still need the public's help and support with this.

"We want the wing to feel homely and modern, because there will be a lot of younger people using it and they will be looking for something akin to their own homes."

If you would like to help, call fundraising manager Lynne Hamilton on 650 6890 or at: lynnehamilton@ageconcerenwirral.org with your pledge.

Alternatively, log onto the organisation's website below.

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