CIVIC dignitaries from across the region dined on finger sandwiches and scones, quiche and cakes for a good cause today. (Friday, October 2)

Spennymoor Town Mayor Pat Lawton hosted around 30 guests for afternoon tea at Spennymoor Town Hall.

Each guest paid £10 for the event which was held to raise money and awareness for one of Councillor Lawton’s chosen charities, Spennymoor Dementia Friends.

Cllr Lawton is passionate about making businesses and organisations in the town more understanding and accessible to people with dementia.

She hopes to have it officially recognised by the Alzheimer’s Society as being dementia friendly, as part of a countywide drive.

She said: “The money will go into the mayor’s charity fund which is also supporting Papyrus which aims to prevent suicide in young people.

“But I particularly wanted this event to be about dementia, the hardest thing can be making contact with people living with dementia and their carers so I really hope my work can go some way to tackling that.

“Simple steps like changing signs, putting coin recognition charts at shop counters and encourage people to see the signs of dementia and talk about them can help so much.

“My dad Jim Walton was diagnosed almost 20 year before he died, he used to go to the Post Office every Thursday for his pension and it was the people there that noticed him changing.

“So many people have or care for someone with some form of dementia it is important we are all aware and understanding of it.”