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A charity that provides a weekly get-together, activities and a meal for seniors in Red Beach and other locations, has launched a crowd-funding campaign and local volunteer, Marlene Crosby is urging people to contribute whatever they can.
North Shore Centres of Mutual Aid (CMA) has two of its biggest centres on the Coast – in Red Beach and Stanmore Bay.
Every week, volunteers provide morning tea, activities to work the body and brain (such as exercises and crafts) and a cooked lunch. Transport is also provided, and this is vital to ensure as many older people, whatever their mobility issues, can join in.
Marlene Crosby has been a volunteer at the Red Beach CMA since 2005. She says the seniors who come to CMA love it, and are well looked after and cared for.
She says it provides a social outlet and friendship.
“Volunteers look forward to it, and so do the members, some of whom have been coming for many, many years – including people in their 90s. CMA helps them still be part of life, by making it easy for them to get there and take part.”
CMA has been part of Auckland since 1961 when the first-day centre opened in Ponsonby. Since then, expansion has seen day centres opened across Auckland, with eight north of Auckland operated by North Shore CMA.
On May 1, North Shore CMA launched a crowdfunding campaign aiming to raise $5000.
Support officer and centre supervisor, Kiri Beven, says the money will ensure the charity can continue to help and support isolated seniors.
“Loneliness and social isolation in seniors are major risk factors for depression, they are also linked to long-term illness, cognitive decline, and dementia,” she says. “Many of our vulnerable seniors lose access to their community once they can no longer drive. CMA provides that connection and friendship. We also provide support for families and caregivers and accommodate people in the mild and moderate stages of dementia and other age-related illnesses. This enables them to live with a better quality of life and in their own homes for longer.”
The crowd funding campaign runs from May 1-12. To donate, go to: https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/help-us-raise-dollar5k-so-we-can-reduce-loneliness or www.cmans.org.nz/
