I HAVE attended dozens of annual general meetings over the last 50-odd years but the AGM of Keighley Dementia Friendly, last Friday at the Healthy Living Centre, was the only one to astonish me.

I should have realised from the start that something special was afoot.

The room was packed.

The work this small band of volunteers has achieved is amazing.

They have more than doubled their funds (though still not enough), achieved full registered charity status, organised dozens of events, built-up links with the NHS, Alzheimers Society, care homes and many other organisations, published a unique booklet which will prove an invaluable guide to future sufferers from this terrible disease and their carers, and many other things too numerous to mention. The KDF report listed 23 in all!

The residents of Keighley can rightly be proud to have such an organisation in our midst.

What Keighley Dementia Friendly now most need is a daily drop-in centre in our shopping centre, more committee members and supporters and, inevitably, more donations.

While we reflect on having something so good in our midst, I am sure the readers of your excellent newspaper will rally to the support of Keighley Dementia Friendly.

DAVID MORTIMER Woodville Road Keighley