'VISIBLE WOMEN' RAISE OVER £1,000 FOR ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY

'Visible Women' - an event to celebrate and motivate local women - has helped raise money for a local charity which works to improve the quality of life for people with dementia.

More than £1,300 has been donated to the North Down and Ards branch of the Alzheimer's Society, following the now annual 'Visible Women' event staged jointly by neighbouring Borough Councils, Ards and North Down, to recognise, celebrate and promote the role of women in all walks of life.

More than 200 women attended the event at the end of November to hear Kate Hoey MP give the keynote address, while entertaining, informative and inspirational talks also came from Dr Janet Gray, the 2007 World Disabled Water Ski Champion, Grainia Long, Director of the Chartered Institute of Housing in Northern Ireland since 2007, and the current Chairman of the Institute of Directors, which represents senior decision makers in businesses, Joanne Stuart.

"An important component of the Visible Women conference is the support we give a local charity, both in terms of a donation and through exposure at the event. We were delighted to support the North Down and Ards branch of the Alzheimer's Society this year and with over £1,300 raised, we have achieved our best total to date. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our delegates who donated so generously at the event and I hope the money will make a valuable contribution to the work of this very worthwhile charity," said Councillor Marion Smith.

Councillor Michelle McIlveen added:

"All of the funds raised will be going to our local group which does truly vital work, not just for those affected by dementia, but for their families and carers. I believe that's one of the reasons people attending Visible Women give so generously and why we receive such tremendous support from businesses in both Boroughs. Our thanks go to all those who generously donated prizes to the ballot, particularly in what continue to be tough trading conditions".

Businesses which contributed prizes to the ballot in aid of North Down and Ards Alzheimer's Society were: The Clandeboye Lodge; Sharon Malcolm Hairdressing; Ards Arts; Ards Crafts; Ards Tourist Information Centre; Momentum Fitness at Ards Leisure Centre, Linda Letham Flowers; Menarys, Newtownards; Marmalade Moon, Newtownards; Boots, Ards Shopping Centre; Mash Direct, Newtownards; Yvonne Gibson Beauty, Newtownards; Balloo House, Killinchy; Exquisite, Newtownards; Charles Hurst Hyundai Dundonald; Strands Unisex Hair Studio, Bangor; North Down and Ards Alzheimers Society; Koko, Newtownards; Pizazz, Newtownards; The Hair Therapy Salon; Feckin Whiskey; Tara's Treasures; Ards District Policing Partnership; North Down District Policing Partnership; Benefit Counter at Menarys, Bangor; Absolute Glamour Bangor; North Down Tourism Gift Shop; Goldenage Antiques, Bangor; Ladies Workout Express, Bangor; The Ava Restaurant, Bangor; Zenbu Massage and Yoga; Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra.