Open Meeting in Ambleside Parish Centre - Speaker Simon McDermott from Alzheimer's Research UK

The Rotary Club of Ambleside Kirkstone held an open meeting on Tuesday 15^th October when the guest speaker Simon McDermott, Regional Fundraising Officer for Alzheimer’s Research UK told his very personal story of his father’s journey with Alzheimer’s. 

Simon’s father Ted had worked as a Butlin’s Red Coat and entertainer.  Simon told how he helped his mother Linda cope when his father developed obsessive and aggressive behaviour, how it took many years and several attempts to get help and a diagnosis.   Ted had always enjoyed singing and performing and members heard how Simon’s coping strategies developed into something amazing whilst raising awareness and also raising funds for Alzheimer’s UK.  To give his mother some respite Simon would take his father out for a drive in the car and they would both sing along to the various tunes and songs which his father had performed many years ago.  At the age of 80 Ted became an internet sensation  when the video of  his rendition of the song Quando, Quando, Quando went viral.  Ted has become known as the “Songaminuteman” and has released an album of some of his favourite songs. 

Rotarian Colin Fell who had organised and promoted the annual Duck Race gave the vote of thanks and presented Simon with a cheque for Alzheimer’s Research UK for £2,500.