Alzheimer's Society: Thousands raised in memory of Michael Pidgley

The event was to commemorate Michael Pidgley who died from Alzheimer’s in 2021 and family, friends and hundreds of visitors wanted to celebrate his life and to raise money for charity.

At a festival fundraising event (Image: Linda Turner)

Daughter Wendy Fletcher organised the event, but everyone came together on the day and raised £8,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Read more: Salisbury council committee battle over EV charging points

Daughter Linda Turner said: "Hartford Care sponsored the event, and they were fantastic. We kept Dad at home and looked after him. We got to know him even more as the illness took hold because one day, he was a 10-year-old child, the next he was holding a fellow marine in his arms when he’d died on the beach.”

Wearing a T-shirt in memory (Image: Linda Turner)

The fundraiser took place on Saturday, June 10 at the Green Dragon at Bramshaw.

Read more: Ongoing row over hanging baskets

Linda said: “It was amazing. We had lots of stalls, games, and live music. There was lots of silly stuff but we enjoyed local Salisbury bands such as the Treble Makers, Daisy Chain, The Scheme and Orange Street who finished with Loonie Tunes.

Linda said: “People have asked us to do another event. So, we will do another one next year. It was so good, it really helped, and we want to give back. Alzheimer’s is such a complex thing; it can be so hard.”

Listen: Introducing the Journal's new food reviewer

It was a family affair with everyone helping to run the event. 

Linda added: “The stars were the local bands that volunteered their time to provide outstanding entertainment and kept the crowd going all day with help from the bar staff who kept us all nicely hydrated. I really want to thank everyone including the Green Dragon and Hartford Care.”