City Library and Arts Centre Friday 2nd October 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Sunderland City Council Library Services are appealing to sports fans to donate their old programmes and memorabilia ahead of a new project to support older people in the city.
A sporting memories group will be starting on Wednesday Oct 7 2015, in City Library and Arts centre, Fawcett Street at 10am. The appeal and project is being organised in partnership with Sporting Memories Network, a charity that helps people affected by loneliness, depression and dementia by bringing like-minded people together to discuss their love of sport and to share memories that are triggered through the use of images and donated items.
The city-wide appeal follows a successful pilot project funded by Sunderland City Council’s West Area Committee earlier this year, with appeals for local people to share their sporting mementos at community venues across that part of the city.
Fans are being asked to dig out any unwanted programmes, sports annuals, shirts, scarves or any memorabilia no matter what its age or condition. More recent programmes are welcome too.
Chair of the West Area Committee, Councillor Peter Gibson said: “We are appealing to fans to get behind the project and dig out their old programmes, annuals, scarves and even rattles if they have them.
“Reminiscing about sport is a great fun activity, but it can also play a very important role in supporting older people in the West Area to stay connected, remain active and to enjoy making new friendships, which are essential elements of remaining mentally and physically well.“
Match of the Day commentator Guy Mowbray recently donated his entire collection of over 1000 programmes, which included many Sunderland games. Fans have also been donating shirts, scarves and scrapbooks as well as annuals which can all be used in the activities
To donate your old programmes and memorabilia to the appeal and to find out more about the project, head along to City Library and Arts Centre on Friday 2nd October 12:30pm – 2:30pm
www.sportingmemoriesnetwork.com
info@sportingmemoriesnetwork.com
Telephone 07540 200406