An 11-year-old Newtown student who donated all her birthday money to help a local charity has been praised for her kindness.
Staff and volunteers at Dementia Friendly Newtown and Newtown Area Library were touched by an act of kindness shown by Amy Roberts, a year seven pupil at Newtown High School, who donated all her birthday money to help out the local charity.
A former pupil of Hafren primary school, Amy spent several years growing up with her grandmother who had Alzheimer’s.
Her grandmother, who lived in Plas Cae Crwn, sadly died four years ago. Since then, Amy has learned more about people living with dementia through the dementia singing group organised by Newtown Area Library.
This is an intergenerational project run by the library, working with local primary schools, and with help from the memory nurses at Dementia Friendly Newtown. Regular “sing along” sessions are held at the library, on the last Tuesday of the month.
There is also the opportunity for families and carers to look at and borrow books to find out more about living with dementia, or to share photos and stories with their loved ones.
When Amy reached her 11th birthday in June last year, she made the decision to give all her birthday money to Dementia Friendly Newtown and presented a cheque to them at the Library.
Cllr. Rachel Powell, portfolio holder for Powys libraries said: “Amy is an inspirational young lady who has both empathy and respect for individuals with dementia and has made a lovely gesture in donating all her birthday money to a great cause.
"This project has brought together local school pupils, people living with dementia, charity volunteers and library staff to share stories and enjoy songs from the past and present. It shows another side of what our libraries can offer to communities in Powys alongside the much loved books and computers.”
“It also raises the importance of intergenerational socialisation and the huge benefits for both children and the elderly, a concept that Powys has naturally embraced and that can be further built upon, not just in our towns, but within our rural areas too.”
A spokesperson for the charity said: “We were so touched by Amy’s story and how she was inspired to discover more about the condition. We want to say a big thank you to her from everyone working here at the library or in the community, supporting people living with dementia.
"We are going to use this donation to pay Dial-a-ride to transport people from the community to attend the sing along sessions at Newtown Library."
Photo: Dementia Friendly Newtown Committee Member Heather Wenban receives the cheque off Amy Roberts along with staff and pupils from Hafren school, Kate Rayner and Joy Owen from the charity and branch librarian Maureen Jones. (middle back).
