THE PASSION of volunteers has persuaded Keighley Town Council to give £10,000 to Dementia Friendly Keighley.

The 12-month grant was approved by last Thursday as part of the council’s £100,000 package for community work across the Keighley area.

The full council agreed a recommendation that had been passed unanimously by members of the council’s recently-formed Community Development committee.

The money will help Dementia Friendly Keighley expand its much-needed support for Keighley people who care for relatives with dementia.

Thanks to the grant, carers will be able to leave relatives at the shop for a while, while they attend appointments such as the hairdressers or opticians.

Committee chairman Gary Pedley said: “The cost was quite minimal. It was just buying in some expert support with experience in dementia for a few hours a week. The service will be run by the volunteers themselves.

“The committee felt it was a desperately-needed service for carers. It sat really well with the idea of supporting people. We felt that one of the priorities we inherited was mindful of people with dementia.

“The volunteers are very passionate about their cause and that came across when they were speaking to the committee."

Mr Pedley said the grant would complement the Airedale Shopping Centre’s support, which included providing a free shop unit to the charity for 12 months and having its manager, Steve Seymour, sit on the Dementia Friendly committee.

Mr Pedley added: “Hopefully it will grow, and Dementia Friendly Keighley will need a bigger base. We’ve offered them some space in the Civic Centre.”