Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland at yesterday’s foundation ceremony at Maison de Quetteville. (Picture by Daniel Guerin, 0579581)
BAILIFF GEOFFREY ROWLAND laid the foundation stone of Maison de Quetteville yesterday. Work on the new ‘Maison Million’ Alzheimer’s and dementia care unit started in November and is due for completion in the final quarter of 2009.
It is costing more than £6m. to build and £1m. of that has to come from public fund-raising. The Guernsey Press launched the home appeal in April last year to raise money for the 29-bed care facility that will be connected to Maison L’Aumone.
Events and donations have so far raised £734,000 and Mr Rowland said yesterday’s ceremony marked a fantastic achievement. ‘We know that this facility will be of considerable benefit to our community,’ he said.
‘We know that people experiencing dementia – and there are an estimated 750,000 in the British Isles – suffer loss of memory, confusion, loss of judgement and problems with speech and reasoning, with an inevitable impact on communication abilities. They suffer changes in mood and behaviour as well.’
Mr Rowland said it was a sobering thought that he would soon be heading into the age group for which Alzheimer’s becomes more of a risk.
‘Better health care will increase longevity of life, but it is an inescapable fact that the numbers who will suffer dementia will increase until some cure is found – and a total cure may never be found,’ he said.
He said there was still more than £250,000 to raise and that the generosity of Guernsey people was still needed.
‘The challenge over the coming months is to continue fund-raising, and I do hope that event organisers and institutions will realise that their support is needed,’ he said.
Chief fund-raiser for the appeal David Hodgetts said the foundation ceremony was a fantastic occasion and recognition of the support the campaign had received.
‘It’s marvellous that after the appeal has run for this long, people can see the fruits of the generosity of the people of Guernsey.’
‘With their continued generosity, we can ensure that this much needed facility is completed.’
Maison L’Aumone chairman Paul Le Boutillier said the organisation was extremely grateful to everyone who had helped, whether the amount raised was large or small.
‘It’s all been so helpful, but it’s important to continue fund-raising as the directors are now having to find serious amounts of money because the building is developing at such a fast pace, which we are delighted about.’
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