Friends of RICE
If you live in the Bath area, why not become a member of the Friends of RICE? Throughout the year, the Friends run all sorts of fundraising activities including bridge drives, stands at local fairs, raffles, street collections and coffee mornings. As well as helping to raise funds for RICE, it is a great way to meet new people.
Friends pay an annual minimal subscription of £5 per person which helps with running costs and, together with donations and other funds raised, go directly into funding vital research into early diagnosis, treatment and support for families and carers.
The Friends of RICE were set up in 1992 to help support the work of research into the care of older people with dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. The Friends are members of the public, healthy volunteers and some ex-patients who, in appreciation for the work of the Centre, have banded together to raise much needed funds. This is done through subscriptions, donations, and fund raising events within local communities. Some of these events are held regularly while others are a one off occasion organised by individual Friends. You are invited to become as involved in these activities as much or as little as it suits you and your particular circumstances.
The Friends meet twice each year, including the Annual General Meeting. There is a Chairman and Co-ordinator to help with organising meetings and events. A small fund raising group exits to support fund raising efforts and generate ideas. There are also a number of volunteers who help in the Centre in a variety of ways.
There are a number of ways to support RICE:
The Memory Trail is a sponsored walk which is held in Bath and surrounding areas. RICE has organised the Memory Trail walks annually since 1994 and benefitted from the funds raised. There is a prize for whoever raises the highest amount in sponsorship. The walks are 3, 5 and 8 miles long and are a wonderful opportunity to bring a picnic, or have a pub lunch and visit beautiful countryside whilst raising funds from the entry fee and any sponsorship promises. Friends can help with planning and organising the walk; with registration, stewarding and general support on the day, and by taking part in the walk itself.
Participants and helpers at the Memory Trail in Wellow
Special Events organised by individual Friends have included open gardens and cream tea afternoons; a great opportunity to relax with friends and enjoy a delicious tea, with plant sales and raffles.
| Wendy and Mike Bartlett opened their beautiful garden for RICE and raised over £350 |
A group of Friends organise a mini Fete each year in the grounds of Partis College in Bath. There are a variety of stalls along with refreshments, musical entertainment and a raffle with a range of prizes.
| Friend Phylis Roberts at the beautiful Partis College |
Another annual event is the Bath Annual Charities Fair held in the Guildhall. RICE has a stall which is set up as a gift lottery with a prize every time. There is also a Grand Raffle drawn on the day.
| The Bath Annual Charities Fair |
Other ways of helping to raise funds include buying Christmas cards and raffle tickets; holding a coffee morning or other social occasion; organising a sponsored event; making, baking or growing things to sell; collecting pennies and 5ps and helping with one or more of the Street Collections held regularly in Bath, Bradford on Avon, Keynsham, and Trowbridge. There is a selection of handcrafted cards for all occasions on sale in the RICE Centre.
If you would like to become a Friend of RICE download the attached leaflet and send to RICE.
Click here to download 'Friends leaflet.pdf' [700kb]
