IN HIS spare time, such as it is, MP Damian Hinds is a keen ‘champion’ of the charity Dementia Friends.

He said: “When my mother, who is no longer with us, was diagnosed with dementia I thought I knew quite a bit about it.

“But I soon found out I didn’t. Dementia Friends is run by the Alzheimer Society and aims to make more people aware of the realities of living with dementia.

“The charity spreads knowledge and awareness about dementia, so that sufferers can have a good life.”

Mr Hinds joined Dementia Friends about two years ago, and was recently made a charity ‘champion,’ able to host meetings aimed at informing people about the condition.

He said: “The next meeting is in Petersfield, and there will be information about dementia, and how to help improve the lives of those with the condition.

“It will also help raise awareness and knowledge of the condition.”

Anyone wishing to attend the meeting on Friday,?December 11, at 6pm in Petersfield Community Centre, Love Lane, should visit the www.dementiafriends.org. uk website to register.

l Starting in next week’s issue, Damian Hinds will be writing a new monthly column for the Post. Look out for it on the Readers’ Letters page.