Leonnie Bates
In Memory of Alf Wood
Fundraising for The National Brain Appeal
Story
Alf was a professional footballer starting his career at Manchester City FC at schoolboy’s level. This was his hometown and where he grew up and met his childhood sweetheart wife Joan. He moved round a few clubs; Manchester, Shrewsbury, Millwall, Hull, Middlesbrough Walsall and Stafford Rangers where they won the FA Trophy in 1979 and he scored 2 goals at Wembley. When his footballing career ended he set up his own business and spent many hours at his local golf club and in his beautiful garden. Two of his biggest loves after family and football. Alf has a large family around him including; his wife, two daughters, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.
After receiving his diagnosis 12 years ago, Alf stayed at home where he was cared for by his wife, Joan and all those who were close to him. Sadly 7 years ago he required specialist care and to be in an environment which could cater for the needs of his dementia. He moved to a specialist location in Worcester where Joan visited him every day along with the rest of his family visiting multiple times in a week.
Dementia is an awful disease and current there is nothing we can do to make it go away. The current statistics show that the equivalent of one person every three minutes develop dementia and this needs to change.
The National Brain Appeal raises funds to advance treatment and research at The National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology – together known as ‘Queen Square. They need all the money they can to fund pioneering research, providing access to the best technology for expert diagnosis and treatment, and training tomorrow’s clinicians and stop other families going through what we have as a family for the past 12 years.
As with everything money is needed to continue this vital research so anything you can donate is hugely appreciated. We want to make this the largest total we possibly can in order to fight this disease!
A huge thank you in advance from all of us
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