A £10,000 fundraising quest has been launched to prevent popular Musical Memories sessions from becoming a thing of the past.

Unless money is found within the next few months, two dementia support projects in Bury and Radcliffe face closure.

The Musical Memories initiative was launched last year by the Bury-based Carers Trust for All, formerly Bury Crossroads Care, and supports dementia sufferers through live music, group singing and use of percussion.

Its activities include listening to popular music from different eras and watching musicians perform live.

Sessions are held every Friday at The Manna House in Irwell Street, Bury, between 10am and 12.30am.

However, lack of funding has meant that the frequency of meetings at Radcliffe’s United Reformed Church in Blackburn Street have already been reduced.

Their next meeting will not be held until Thursday, September 4.

Now, unless vital cash can be found, then the project in both towns faces closure.

Sessions cost up to £300 each week and those behind the project are anxious to raise £10,000 before September to allow Musical Memories to continue.

A fundraising event took place earlier this month at Asda in Pilsworth when about 20 members of the Musical Memories group performed for shoppers.

The store’s community life champion, Jill Brady, will continue to sell raffle tickets in aid of the project for the next month while Falshaw’s Farm Shop in Bury and Tottington’s Village Butchers have donated raffle prizes.

Project manager for Musical Memories, Anita Walsh, said: “The event at Asda Pilsworth was absolutely brilliant and I’d like to thank Jill Brady for all her help.

“Our fundraising target is £10,000 and there is a real danger that we will have to close if we can’t raise that amount.

“Musical Memories is a brilliant opportunity for dementia sufferers, their carers, volunteers and befrienders.”

Musical Memories boasts more than 70 members who attend sessions in Bury and Radcliffe.

  • Anyone who wants to help with the fundraising can ring Mrs Walsh or David Stopford at Carers Trust for All on 0161 7634163.