Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JEWELL JOINS CAMPAIGN FOR DEMENTIA FUNDING
FRIDAY was fish and chip day for former Bradford City and Wigan manager Paul Jewell in the continual fight against the ravages of dementia.
Jewell (left) helps run a ‘Memories Cafe’ near his Yorkshire home after seeing the effects of the disease on Bradford City legend Allan Gilliver.
The cafe is where dementia sufferers can spend a few hours together eating and drinking under the watchful gaze of volunteers. Being on the frontline of the disease is why he has joined a campaign led by former footballers calling on the Government to step up following football’s failure to sufficiently fund support for the sport’s growing number of victims.
Jewell explained: “I go most Fridays just to help out. On Friday it was fish and chips day so they were taken out to a restaurant and some of the money we have raised through events helped supplement the day out.
“It’s really humbling, sad and heartbreaking but it’s the reality. It just grabs hold of you.
“The first day the cafe in Guiseley was set up we had 18 people. Now we have 82. It’s full every week with a waiting list.”
And Jewell looks on almost with disbelief at the £1million interim offer from the Premier League and PFA to help sufferers.
He added: “It isn’t good enough. That doesn’t go anywhere. The Government needs to take a look at itself as well.
“A number of us have been in contact with the sports minister, Stuart Andrew, who is also my local MP, for him to try to address the problem. So far I haven’t heard anything back.”
Also continuing to speak up is John Stiles, son of Manchester United and England legend
Nobby, who died of the disease.
Jewell added: “I met him when he did something for our golf club a couple of years ago. He told me about the campaign.
“I’m also on a WhatsApp group of former Wigan players and they have also got involved because they are all aware of ex-players suffering from the effects of dementia.
“Gilly just sits there and looks at you now. It’s heartbreaking.
“I see what the disease can do at close quarters. Something needs to change.”