Volunteers come out in force to support the festive Marks and Spencer Bag Pack in aid of Alzheimer's Society

'This year, as last, we were lucky enough to be granted permission to hold a 'Bag Pack' collection day at Marks and Spencer, Sprucefield, and what a day it was. 22 volunteers came along to support this event and every packer was asked to do up to two hours. I am pleased to say that many not only did their two hours but came back after a short break to help fill in gaps on other shifts.

'I have to say that the Down and Lisburn volunteers were a tremendous help in this. I should like to especially thank the Northern Ireland Director Bernadine McCrory, Hazel Stirling Community Fundraiser for North and East, Dervilia Kernaghan Alzheimer’s Society Advocate and Roisin Wylie Advocate Volunteer for giving up their valuable time to pack with us.'

'We started at 11am and finished at 5.30pm and it was non stop packing every minute of that time, with lots of friendly chatter with the customers and staff. It was a very hectic day and it was great to see 10 packers in the branded white T-shirts on display as you looked down the line of check outs. On the day the bag pack raised £1,388.96.

'I have asked again for a Festive Bag Pack day in 2013 and hope that Marks and Spencer will again give us this golden opportunity.'

If you would like to get involved in fundraising in your local area we have lots of ideas for fundraising individually or there are many events that you can sign up to. All funds raised will go towards supporting Alzheimer's Society fulfill our ambition of a world without dementia.