Retired 82-year-old vicar hopes to raise £80,000 to bring a specialist dementia nurse to Harborough

Alan Pyke during his last fundraising event when he hiked an incredible 850 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats - without leaving his home – last spring and summer.

A retired vicar and charity fundraiser is battling to rake in up to £80,000 to bring a specialist dementia nurse to Harborough.

Alan Pyke 82, is the president of Kibworth Bowling Club this year.

And the keen bowler is setting out to get behind the nationally-renowned Admiral Nurses in a bid to support local people.

“Like many people I have been touched deeply by friends close to me who have suffered various kinds of dementia and the desperate need that sufferers and carers have for support.

“Admiral Nurses are specifically trained to undertake this work by Dementia UK,” said Alan, of Kibworth Beauchamp.

“And due to fantastic fund-raising efforts there are two or three Admiral Nurses now working in Leicestershire.

“I am dedicating my presidential year to supporting a campaign to bring an Admiral Nurse to work with NHS providers in Harborough district.”

He said Kibworth Bowling Club is now gearing up to stage a special 12-hour 'Bowlathon' on Sunday July 11.

Bowling will kick off at 8am in the morning and continue until 8pm at night.

“It promises to be a brilliant day.

“At least five bowling clubs from across Harborough have already pledged their support for the event,” said Alan.

“We sincerely hope that with sponsorship as well as coverage in the Harborough Mail and other local media we can massively raise the profile of Admiral nurses in South Leicestershire.

“Most people will know about Macmillan Nurses and the wonderful work that they do supporting thousands of cancer patients all over the UK.

“But few people have even heard of Admiral Nurses – and we are determined to change that,” stressed Alan.

“There is a gigantic mountain for us to climb if bringing an Admiral Nurse to work in Harborough is to become a reality.

“It would cost about £80,000-a-year to employ an Admiral Nurse - and much of that huge sum will need to be raised.

“But we are firmly committed and dedicated to pulling out all the stops and doing our very best to make that happen and bring a first-class Admiral Nurse to support people here in Harborough.”

Alan blazed a sensational fundraising trail when he hiked an incredible 850 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats - without leaving his home – last spring and summer.

The indomitable pensioner virtually trekked the entire length of England and Scotland as he generated over £3,000 to support The Well, a vital village Christian community hub.

You can find out more about Kibworth Bowling Club here: https://www.kibworthbowlingclub.co.uk/And you can Admiral Nurses here: https://www.dementiauk.org/get-support/admiral-nursing/