Hero Sandra wins prestigious award for fundraising at Pride of Britain gala

“I WON’T stop!”

Hero fundraiser Sandra Blockley won a prestigious national award — and pledged to keep fighting for people living with dementia.

Sandra (78) was named Fundraiser of the Year at the Pride of Britain ceremony this week in London for her 38 years of service.

Still shocked, Sandra, who can be found at her charity shop on Green Arbour Road, Thurcroft, is unable to say how much money she has raised over the years but it’s well into six figures.

Now, following her national award, some in the village have started talking about running a campaign to erect a statue of Sandra.

She said: “I went down to London to Grosvenor House for the Pride of Britain Awards and I won. It’s been a process for 38 years... I’ve been fundraising for 38 years.

“I’m absolutely amazed. It was a shock. There were 16 against me. I can’t get my head around it.

“When you’ve got all these television stars — Ashley Banjo presented it, Gail Platt, you name it, they were there — coming up to you after the ceremony... 

“It was lovely.”

However, it didn’t make her complacent — she said she had other ideas.

“I won’t stop,” she added. “It’s too important. So many people being diagnosed with dementia, even younger ones, my heart goes out to them.

“If I could do it forever, I would. 

“I would never ever change it because it’s done so much good.”

Sandra started fundraising after her daughter Lorraine died of cervical cancer when she was only 19 years old. 

She later also lost her husband Charlie to dementia.

“He kept missing words out,” said Sandra. “We went to the doctor, and he just referred us to the memory clinic. 

“He said he had memory problems. They didn’t say anything about dementia or Alzheimer’s at that time.

“I then found a memory café. He absolutely loved it. I took him there for five years.

“It was amazing. It was my lifeline. There were other people in the same boat as me. We’ve made friends. 

“He passed away six years ago but I told them: ‘I’m not leaving, I’m staying as a volunteer.’”

She kept her word. Sandra never stopped helping others as she knows what people are going through.

She added: “We had music at the café. Men were dancing with their wives... those were magical moments. It makes me cry.

“I decided then I would be raising money so they could have entertainment. 

“I’m raising £15,000 by Christmas. I’m trying hard.

“I’m not ready to finish yet.”