Charity dinner for Alzheimer’s nurses

Sheila Wainwright cared for husband John, who was born and brought up in Earlsheaton, for four years while he battled dementia – but she says she could not have done it without the help of an Admiral nurse.

Mr Wainwright, a former director of Joshua Ellis’s Mill, died last year aged 72.

Mrs Wainwright said: “I suffered mental pain I didn’t think was possible as the man I loved so dearly locked me out of the house, tried to push me downstairs, would have killed me had he not finally been sectioned because of his uncontrolled violence.

“At my lowest ebb someone suggested I ring an Admiral Nurse. I firmly believe the nurse who talked to me for an hour on the phone saved my life. I was ready to drive my car with John over the nearest cliff because it seemed the only way I could deal with our mutual pain.

“The Admiral Nurse brought me back from the edge. His professional skills as a trained mental health nurse, his compassion and his understanding of my needs were life saving.

Now Mrs Wainwright, a former headteacher of Dewsbury Moor St John’s School, hopes the black tie event ‘A Night to Remember’ will raise money to fund more Admiral nurses in Yorkshire.

She said: “MacMillan Nurses are nationally known for supporting cancer sufferers and their carers. Admiral nurses have the same cause and the same passion for giving professional advice and support to carers of dementia.”

The event, which will be hosted by presenter Harry Gration, is being held on Saturday March 9 at the Queens Hotel in Leeds. If you would like to buy a ticket, donate an auction prize or make a donation visit www.night-to-remember.org.uk or call 0113 220 8008.