Sheffield Hospitals Charity has launched their Christmas campaign, raising funds for dementia care, backed by musician and singer Tony Christie.
Tony is best known for his recording of (Is this the Way to) Amarillo and his hit Avenues and Alleyways which features in the charity’s heartfelt Christmas video this year. He revealed his dementia diagnosis in 2023 after noticing changes like forgetting the names of people he had known for years and struggling with cryptic crosswords that he had loved doing all his life.
Tony Christie said: “When I received my diagnosis of early onset dementia it was a shock, it’s not something you think will ever happen to you. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to carry on performing.
However, with a few adjustments, like an onstage monitor with the lyrics to my songs, I’m still singing as good as I ever did. Music is such a powerful trigger for improving symptoms associated with dementia. Music is in my soul, and it still gives me happiness on the darkest of days.”
Beth Crackles, CEO of Sheffield Hospitals Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the support from our friend and ambassador Tony Christie and all he is giving to our campaign this year. Thanks to generous donations from our wonderful supporters, we have been able to fund a Dementia Practitioner Team.
“Sheffield Hospitals Charity is committed to helping people live better with dementia. Our Christmas video will resonate with so many people, and we have also produced some tips to help families have a dementia-friendly Christmas which you can find on our website.”
Watch the Christmas charity video by heading to sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk/christmas
