Street surprise is right on song at Dementia Awareness Week tea party

Surrounded by people in a busy street, carers and people with dementia from the Society's Singing for the Brain group belted out a series of favourites.

It fitted right in with the vintage theme of the tea party with songs such as Chattanooga Choo Choo to Pack up Your Troubles and Tea for Two.

More than £1,500 is expected to have been raised by the Alzheimer's Society event, a total boosted by a presentation of more than £450.

The extra gift on the day came from Alex Claydon and Sam Agnew, of York's Now and Then, which raised the money through its own vintage themed events

Sam said:

'We have past and current family members who live with, or have lived with this illness so the Alzheimer's Society is very close to our hearts.'

Harrowells Solicitors, York, sponsored the tea party and partner Hudda Morgan was among its staff joining volunteers to help out during the day.

York 40's Dance Group added to the atmosphere with the steps and dress from the era along with singers and a jazz quartet making the day go with a swing.

Joanne Tegerdine, project volunteer pulled the event together in partnership with Alzheimer's Society community fundraiser Julie Lee.

Joanne said:

'It's brilliant - people were coming in even as we were setting up - it has been non-stop which is fantastic. The support has been amazing.

'Volunteers gave up their time for free and created the street theatre that went with the tea party.'

Everyone from the helpers pouring the tea to singers, dancers and owners of classic cars who took them along made it happen

Joanne said:

'We turned back time for a day.'

Dementia Awareness Week 2012 runs until 26 May. It is sponsored by Saga Homecare. Together Alzheimer's Society and Saga Homecare hope to maximise awareness and understanding of dementia across the UK.