A GRANDDAUGHTER raised £1,300 for the people who helped her grandparents piece their world back together.

Laura Cross, 19, was determined to give something back to the Alzheimer's Society after seeing the difference the organisation has made to her grandparents Gordon and Pat Kinsey, from Northwich.

Pat said: "When my husband was first diagnosed I just thought my whole world had fallen apart along with his.

"It was horrible and I wasn't coping very well at all.

"My daughter made me go to the doctor at Danebridge and they told me to speak to the Alzheimer's Society.

"In the initial stages I wasn't ready, I was in denial, then one day I just thought 'here goes, I will'."

Pat spoke to Jane Stubbs, who became their dedicated support worker at the Alzheimer's Society, in Navigation Road, and helped them discover how to make their lives a little easier.

"She kept ringing me up to find out if I was OK," Pat said.

"She put me on the right track to apply for things I didn't think about and that's been a big help.

"The passion Jane's got for helping the carer as well is brilliant."

The couple soon discovered other benefits, including a workshop at St Luke's Hospice for people with dementia and their carers, and a monthly friendship cafe.

Pat said: "You find you can cope better when you know it's not just you."

Laura organised a prize bingo night at the Wings Club, in Northwich, with proceeds going to the Alzheimer's Society.

"I just wanted to give something back to them," Laura said.

"I thought we might raise maybe £400 or £500 and I would have been happy if we had reached that.

"We didn't expect £1,300.

"There were so many people there that we had to move tables around to fit everyone in."

She added: "I want to say a massive thank you to all of the businesses that donated the prizes and thanks to everyone who came and donated."

Pat and Gordon, who have four children, five grandchildren, five step grandchildren and five great grandchildren, also asked for donations instead of presents at their ruby wedding anniversary last year, which raised more than £525 for the society.