Sandra’s sterling fundraising efforts rewarded with top honour

Super fundraiser Sandra Brockley (77) spends time each week chatting, playing games, dancing and singing at dementia cafés across Rotherham.

This volunteer work for Rotherham Dementia Support Service — provided by national charity Making Space — led to her winning a Great British Care Award.

Sandra cared for husband Charlie until his death in 2017. She says the cafés were a lifeline, with the couple missing only two sessions in five years.

This network also provided bereavement support for Sandra, who became a volunteer to give something back and maintain a sense of purpose following her own carer responsibilities.

Sandra has also raised more than £1 million for a range of charities across Rotherham over 30 years and was awarded the MBE in 2006.

Asked how much she has raised in total, she said: “I stopped counting at £750,000!”

When Covid paused the dementia café work, Sandra set up a charity shop at Thurcroft to continue bringing in cash for charities like Making Space.

Her first year target of £50,000 would cover the café music costs for a decade, with money left over for treats for carers and loved ones at Christmas and other special events.

Sandra won the regional unpaid carer award at the Great British Care Awards for Yorkshire and the Humber, qualifying her for the national awards in Birmingham next month (SEPT).

Making Space peripatetic service manager Cath Magee, who nominated Sandra, said: “Her purpose in life is to help people living with dementia and their carers, to live well with dementia for a long as possible.

“Sandra is a special lady. She has a wonderful impact on everyone she meets and she has done a lot to raise dementia awareness in Rotherham. She makes everyone want to do more for people living with dementia and their carers.”

Making Space runs monthly café in Dalton, Wath, Thurcroft and Maltby. You can find out more by calling 01709 910889 or emailing [email protected].