A Glasgow schoolgirl has taken inspiration from her grandmother, who suffers from dementia, to raise money for charity.
Bearsden youngster Sanna Whiteley, nine, is hosting a tea party in honour of her gran and to raise money for Alzheimer Scotland.
Heartbreakingly, Elizabeth Galloway no longer recognises granddaughter Sanna, who goes to Killermont Primary School.
The 79-year-old, a resident of Antonine House Care Home, was diagnosed with dementia in 2013.
Read more: Glasgow granny housebound after wheelchair and walking frame stolen from her garden
Though Sanna was only seven when Elizabeth’s condition worsened and she was moved into the care home, she has fond memories of “playing restaurants and cafés” in the garden with her granny, grandpa, and younger sister Nuala.
Sanna’s mum, Jill, discussed Elizabeth’s diagnosis and the impact it had on the family.
She said: “We had suspected something was wrong for some time. It was a very challenging time for the family; mum was determined that no one was to know, and that included me and my older brother. Her friends were also becoming increasingly concerned about her.
“Unfortunately, my mum doesn’t know who Sanna is anymore, but when Sanna was younger and granny was much more able, they used to spend a lot of time playing together.
“My mum had so much patience and Sanna remembers playing restaurants and cafés with granny and grandpa, and her sister Nuala, using toy food and plastic plates.
“It’s really sad; because the girls were very young when my mum was diagnosed, it’s hard for them to remember the way she used to be so I keep reminding them granny’s not always been the way she is now.”
Sanna is taking part in Alzheimer Scotland's Tea & Blether campaign, and has planned a coffee morning - inspired by her memories of her granny.
She will host her own coffee morning for Dementia Awareness Week, which runs from May 30 to June 5.
A keen baker, Sanna will entertain 15 friends and family in the garden and plans to serve up a variety of homemade goodies, including her granny's recipe shortbread.
Elizabeth was a baker herself, hosting her own church bake sales in aid of Cancer Research.
Jill added: “Sanna had a dream during lockdown of hosting a café in the garden and raising money for Alzheimer Scotland so her dream is becoming a reality.
“It’s quite daunting, but I don’t want her growing up thinking that we just don’t do things because they’re too hard.
“It’s just a shame that my mum won’t be able to join in the fun.”
You can support Sanna’s Tea & Blether by donating via her fundraising page.
