Simon and Ted McDermott received a Special Recognition Award at the Daily Mirror awards show last night for the work they’ve done to highlight dementia and raise money for charity
By sharing their inspiring singing videos and story, Simon and Ted ‘Mac’ McDermott have managed to raise nearly £130,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society, and last night they were honoured for this achievement at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards.
The father and son first came to the attention of people earlier this year, when Simon started posting videos of his father, who has Alzheimer’s disease, singing along word-perfectly, to a range of classic songs from the 50s and 60s.
When the videos started getting noticed, he also set up a JustGiving charity donation page to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. The charity and, in particular, their helpline, had been extremely helpful through some of the harder times of his Dad’s diagnosis and symptoms.
‘This whole thing started because last year was a really, really bad year,’ said Simon.
He adds that he did not know what to do and it was the Alzheimer’s Society who helped him through his darkest hour.
‘If that help wasn’t there, I don’t know what I’d do,’ he added.
Simon says: ‘I drive my dad around. That’s one per cent of the work. My mum does 99 per cent of the other work. It’s my mum’s award.’
Simon was joined on stage by Dame Joan Collins and Sir Cliff Richard, whose own mother had dementia, to present him with the award.
Joan Collins said: ‘Well, your father is amazing. I saw him on television a few times and I know all those songs myself.’
So this happened @PrideOfBritain pic.twitter.com/hlTqC3X7am
— The Songaminute Man (@songaminute) 1 November 2016
The Alzheimer’s Society have also congratulated the McDermotts, with Chief Executive Jeremy Hughes saying:
‘Alzheimer’s Society could not be more thrilled that Simon has been awarded the Pride of Britain Special Recognition Award this year.
‘Simon and Teddy’s inspiring and touching Songaminute Man videos are not only raising vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society, but highlighting the positive impact that listening to music and singing can have for people with dementia. They truly deserve this recognition.
‘We’re pleased that our National Dementia Helpline supported Simon when he was coming to terms with his father’s diagnosis. Our Helpline advisers are here to support anyone affected by dementia by providing a listening ear, practical advice and help with signposting to other support services for people with dementia and their carers.
‘Huge congratulations to Simon and Teddy on this fantastic achievement – we are so grateful for their support.’
You can read more about Simon and his Dad here.
The Pride of Britain Awards will be broadcast on ITV at 8pm on Tuesday 1 November.
Source: dailymail.co.uk and alzheimers.org.uk
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