Una Crawford-O'Brien and Bryan Murray are calling on the people of Mayo to host an Alzheimer's Tea Day event this year.

Fair City couple invite the people of Mayo to have 'the most powerful cup of tea of the year'

Fair City and real-life couple Bryan Murray and Una Crawford-O’Brien are calling on the people of Mayo to host an Alzheimer’s Tea Day event and have 'the most powerful cup of tea of the year' on Thursday, May 4.

Bryan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease three years ago. Now, Bryan and his partner Una have teamed up with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (the ASI) to invite everyone to come together for a cuppa, a chat, and maybe a treat or two on May 4 to help raise vital funds for families living with dementia nationwide.

Bryan and Una ask everyone to get involved with local tea day events in their homes, gardens, workplaces, schools, local community centres or somewhere special.

Alzheimer’s Tea Day is the ASI’s biggest and most important fundraiser.

In August 2022, Bryan – a member of the ASI’s Irish Dementia Working Group, a group of people living with dementia who advocate for better services, supports and policies in Ireland – and Una first spoke publicly about Bryan’s diagnosis in hopes of helping others impacted by the condition.

Bryan explained: “I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years ago. That’s why my partner Una and I are proud and excited to join the Alzheimer Society of Ireland as Alzheimer's Tea Day ambassadors, and we really hope you’ll get the kettle on too and host your very own tea day party on Thursday, May 4!”

The Fair City star continued: “Did you know at least 30 people develop dementia every day? It’s a frightening statistic, and one I wasn’t aware of until I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Thousands of families across Ireland are affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia. It cannot be understated how much they rely on supports like day care centres, home care, dementia advisers and training for family carers – supports that Alzheimer's Tea Day helps to provide.

“Whether your party is big or small, it doesn’t matter – it’s all about coming together for this wonderful celebration of care, hope and good company. Every cup of tea you share will help make a difference in your local community and across the country. And the best part is, you’ll have so much fun doing it! Sign up on teaday.ie today, and let’s prepare for the greatest tea day party in the world!”

Alzheimer’s Tea Day returned last year after taking place online in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19. Traditional tea day events in the past have raised €500,000. The ASI hopes to continue rebuilding tea day and, this year, raise €300,000.

There are an estimated 2,279 people living with dementia in Mayo, and each year more than 11,000 people develop the disease across the country – at least 30 people every day.

Una, also an Alzheimer Society of Ireland ambassador, said: “I’m thrilled to support Alzheimer’s Tea Day. Since Bryan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland has been a bedrock of support for us and the 64,000 people living with dementia in the country. But they can’t provide this support without raising vital funds through events like Alzheimer's Tea Day.

“Dementia doesn’t discriminate – it reaches across generations and genders and affects people of all backgrounds. As the number of people living with the condition continues to grow in the country, so does the pressure on the vital supports and services the Alzheimer Society of Ireland provides. They need our help – yours and ours.”

To get involved on Alzheimer's Tea Day on May 4 (or on a day that suits you), sign up on on teaday.ie or call (01) 2073800, after which you'll be sent your tea day pack. Share your Alzheimer's Tea Day event on social media, not forgetting the hashtag #TeaDay2023.

AMAZING

The ASI head of fundraising, Mairéad Dillon, commented: “We are so pleased to welcome Bryan Murray and Una Crawford O’Brien as ambassadors for Alzheimer's Tea Day, our biggest and most important fundraising event of the year.

“Tea day is a day of hope, where communities across the country come together to help people living with dementia and their carers. The people of Ireland have been amazing supporters of tea day in the past, and we’re looking forward to seeing that support emulated again on May 4.

“The ASI really depends on the funds that the event generates each year to keep our support services going. We ask everyone to get involved, whether by hosting their own Alzheimer's Tea Day or donating to the ASI at alzheimer.ie.

“Working with Bryan and Una on this campaign will undoubtedly shine further light on the condition and help break down the prevailing stigma surrounding dementia.”