AS thoughts turn to England’s next World Cup challenge we celebrate a former international who is helping raise awareness of dementia and how to live with it.
Alan Peacock played in 218 games for the Boro, scoring 125 goals and was part of the England side in the 1962 World Cup in Chile.
He was the star of the show again as our Memory Box Tour went on the road for the first time.
Each week we visit a different care home with Alan who is living with dementia and once a month there is a dementia dance at the Riverside. This, though, was the first time the exhibition was taken outside that environment.
Joslin Rhodes Pension & Retirement Planning based in Stockton-on-Tees hosted an evening of fun and memories.
The local firm which helps people across the North East make sense of their pensions and plan for their best life in retirement, hosted the event to raise awareness of the work we do in relation to dementia and the issues facing people affected by the condition.
Alan Peacock brought his own memory box containing memorabilia gathered throughout his prestigious career. The football-based project was created following Alan’s own dementia diagnosis last year.
The event was supported by the lads at the Boro Shirt Museum who brought along an impressive collection. Also on display were….
- Signed Middlesbrough FC and England memorabilia (shirts, photographs, programmes etc.)
- Memory boxes containing memorabilia from Alan’s illustrious career with Middlesbrough, Leeds and England including Alan’s first contract when he was just 17 for £3 a week, a Christmas card from 1965 signed by Sir Alf Ramsey and a programme cover and team sheet from the 1965 FA cup final
- Full size replica of the FA cup
- Raffle and an auction of signed Middlesbrough FC memorabilia on the evening to raise money for the Foundation
- The opportunity to have your photo taken with MFC mascot, Rory the lion
Alan Geddes, Fundraising and Events Coordinator for MFC Foundation said: “Reminiscence therapy has huge benefits for those living with dementia. Props and photos can stimulate their mind and evoke memories while also improving their mental health and wellbeing.
“To be able to take our memorabilia on tour again after receiving such positive feedback was great. It was another opportunity to build awareness of the work we do.”
Those at the event heard stories from former Boro star Tony McMahon and commentator Gordon Cox, both of whom were asked to bring a piece of memorabilia.
McMahon took along his FA Youth Cup winner’s medal from 2004, Cox a set of headphones and microphone signifying a career which started in 1985.
Neil Parker, CEO & Founder of Joslin Rhodes said:
“We’re extremely proud of our Teesside roots and many of the Joslin Rhodes team are lifelong Boro fans. The Foundation does fantastic work to improve the lives of local people. This event will help raise funds and awareness of the vital service they perform in our community.”
