A FAMILY who have faced the cruel reality of dementia said a birthday party held for their beloved Gramps proved a 'real tonic.'

James ‘Jocko’ Walker from Wellington was sadly diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease over two years ago and his health has since deteriorated.

But his family did not want to see his 90th birthday pass without a celebration so decided to hold a party and raised £3,870 in the process for the local Alzheimer's group.

His granddaughter, Samantha Simcock, said: "My Gramps is well known in Wellington village where he has lived over the years, raising funds for charities and families – he was always busy helping others. So my Uncle Roger came up with this idea.

"Friends and family thought that my Gramps would never be able to attend the event as he had been so poorly of late but he rose to the occasion – we held an open house in the day for a birthday party – but just as these photos prove miracles can happen."

The community came forward to support the fundraising event and the family thanked them for all their support.

They had donations for raffle and auction prizes from friends, family and the local football and rugby teams. Hereford FC all signed the ball with which Pablo Haysham scored a hat-trick for Hereford in a 6-0 win against Bromyard Town last December.

Hereford Rugby Club supplied a shirt signed by all of the team and race tickets were donated by John Williams for Ludlow races, as well as the live band and DJ donating their time.

Ms Simcock added: "This has proved to be a real tonic for my Gramps- a well known man with a gentle character who is known for his social interaction. He not only attended a fundraising evening that he would have been proud to arrange himself but it was an evening that lifted his spirits and he was still socialising and interacting until gone midnight.

"I personally work within a local care environment and would ask that all families make the most of birthday and family celebrations – include and involve those with dementia – the pictures prove it."