Local lady’s fundraiser nets over £7,000 for Alzheimer’s Society

A TYRONE lady has raised a fantastic £7,190 for the Alzheimer’s Society, as part of a charity head shave.

Denise Devlin, a business woman from Strabane, undertook the close shave as a tribute to her father, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s .

The charity fundraising was held on Wednesday at Melmont Manor Care Home where her father Sean McGrane, is currently residing.

Mr McGrane was proproetor of the popular, Modern Man fashion outlet on Strabane’s Main Street for many years and also served as chair of the Chamber of Commerce.

However, a number of years ago, he was diagnosed with dementia.

Denise told the Tyrone Herald that she was ‘delighted’ with the amount of money raised and moreover, that she found shaving her head a liberating experience.

Denise said, “I’ll be honest: I never thought about what it would be like, shaving the head, until the night before the fundraiser,” Denise remarked. “I had a couple of people ask me about it and then I was starring to wobble. But I woke up on Wednesday and just said to myself, ‘I have to do this.’

“And I will be honest too, shaving my head was so liberating. It was an amazing experience and the night itself was full of craic.

“There was music from Mark O’Donnell who had people singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ and my family and friends were there while people were watching on a live stream including my brother, John and his wife Gayle who tuned in from Glasgow.

“I am absolutely delighted and astonished at the money raised. People have been so generous.”

The head shave was lived streamed on Denise’s Facebook page and so far has been viewed over 6,000 times. Denise added that she has been overwhelmed by the support she has received from people across the country.

“I would like to thank all the staff at Melmount Manor – they’ve been brilliant but I would like to thank Hayley, Leesa and Michell in particular who’ve been an amazing help to me. I would also like to thank everyone who has donated for a great cause, it means the world. The Alzheimer’s Society are fantastic and my local contact, Amy Foley was a great help on the night.”