Mind Games For Dementia

By Bella Merlino

'Mind Games for Dementia' - Online Australian Record Attempt

My name is Bella Merlino and I am currently a Year 11 student at Santa Sabina College Strathfield NSW 2135.


Dementia is the leading cause of death among females in Australia and the second leading cause of death overall.

Currently there are an estimated 459,000 Australians living with dementia. Some of those may be your family and friends.

My grandfather has dementia and the impact on my family has been devastating.

One of the main symptoms of dementia is memory loss.

Oscar Wilde once said that "memory is the diary we all carry about us".

Imagine our lives with no memories. Unfortunately, this is what dementia sufferers face daily. 

I witness the effect of dementia on my grandfather and our family daily and I want to make a change. My grandfather has always been there for me and I want to now be there for him.

I want to raise much needed funds for Dementia Australia but I also want to raise awareness.

So, I have organised an Australian Record attempt and fundraiser called "Mind Games for Dementia".

The Australian Record attempt will involve a minimum of 100 persons playing board games all at the same time online for a one hour period. This event will be held on the 10th September 2021 commencing at 7pm and ending at 8pm.

I have chosen board games as the record attempt and  fundraiser activity as the playing of board games is a good stimulus for memory and also to remind ourselves of those in our society that have failing or no memories.

But I also need your help! Please make a donation to support my efforts and help me reach my goal to beat dementia.

All funds raised will support the work of Dementia Australia to provide vital support services for people living with dementia, their families and carers. These services include counselling, support groups and training.

Thank you for your support.

My Achievements

Received first donation

Added a profile photo

Reached fundraising target

Shared page on social media

Updated my page

Thank you to my Supporters

$52.20

Shaji Thomas

Proud of you Bella. Will miss Tony. May his soul rest in peace. God bless.

$229.68

The Neighbours Of Altona Place. Greenacre.

Hi Bella Just donating $220 from your grandparents' neighbours in Altona Place. Your Nonno will be missed dearly. I'm sure everyone in the street will have a story of Tony to relate. He was always ready for a chat and more importantly, always ready to help in any way he could. For us his next door neighbours, Tony was like the guardian angel who would run a lawnmower on the front lawn, put away the garbage bins or kick a ball with my toddler grandson when my daughter and family were living here. My grandson loved to visit " Uncle Tony". We, in Altona Place. hold warm memories of your Nonno. Your Nonna also is very dear to us all and we will now do our best to be her guardian angels. Sincere sympathies to your Nonna, parents, to you and all the family. Rest in Peace Tony.

$57.42

Glorian Polifroni

$104.40

Capaldi Family Xx

Well done Bella on organising a fun event despite the challenges of lockdown. We love your love and commitment. Xxxx

$104.40

Cassimatis Family

Congratulations Bella, on a great achievement tonight and hope you reach your goal for a great cause!

$20

Bill And Rose Dwyer

$2.02k

Guiseppe Di Francesco

$200

Olivia Churchland

A worthy cause close to our heart. Well done Bella! (Family of Olivia Churchland Yr 10)

$104.40

Antoine Farah

$30

Rosie Moore

$1.02k

Anonymous

$100

Daniella Rafaraci

A cause very close to heart! Thank for organizing such a great event. Good luck in raising much needed funds.

$104.40

Tina Hatzivasiliou

Well done Bella

$208.80

Peter Voutos

Great work Bella!

$100

Anonymous

$208.80

Anonymous

Well done Bella for reaching your goal and raising awareness about dementia.

$31.32

Victoria Harper

Thanks for organising this Bella! I'm in awe of all the things you achieve.

$350

Anonymous

$300

Anonymous

$52.20

Gabrielle Khalil

$31.32

Melissa Irvine

$104.40

Rachel Hennessy

Great idea and a fabulous cause. Congratulations Bella.

$57.42

Georgia Brincat

$57.42

Ted Brincat

$104.40

Anonymous

$57.42

Elle Brincat

Hope it went well Sweetie.

$57.42

Carmel Lombardo

well done Bella I'm sure your grandfather is so proud of you we know to well this disease took over Marias grandfather as well Hopeful this will make a difference into finding a cure you are amazing

$57.42

Elena Ierardo

Well done Bella!

$104.40

Olga Giuffre

Such a worthy cause. Congratulations Bella. You are such an amazing young woman.

$208.80

Capaldi Family

Amazing work Bella. You inspire those around you to do more. Your Nono would be so proud. Love and hugs Team Capaldi xxxx

$52.20

Lance

$52.20

Giovanna Merlino

$50

Jen & Steve Foskett

$57.42

Maria Black

All the best with reaching your goal! Thank you for supporting such an important cause.

$31.32

Marion Malouf

$104.40

Abdallah Mahmoud

$1.25k

Anonymous

We are so proud of you! Love from M&D. xxx

$104.40

Bruce Morey

Hi Bella, This is a very worthy cause and anything that can be done to improve the quality of life for sufferers of this debilitating disease is wonderful. Good on you for taking on part of this challenge.

$52.20

Debra Bridge

Bella, Well done for your wonderful efforts to raise funds and awareness of this truly devastating disease. You should be so very proud of yourself! Love and best wishes to you and your family ❤️️

$1.62k

Anonymous

Bella, you are a born leader and an inspiration. Wishing you all the best.

$104.40

Isabelle D'amico

Hi Bella, it is amazing the awareness you're raising for those affected by dementia. Lets find a cure. You're a STAR. Love the D'Amicos

$104.40

Pat & Ang Bianchi

Well done Bella!!

$51

Nish Patil

Good Luck Bella

$208.80

Blair Ryan

Keep it going Bella. Very proud of you.

$31.32

Brian Fletcher

$100

Fokas Beyond

What you are doing for your dear grandfather Bella is something you should be very proud of. You are a very special girl and we wish you all the very best in your journey 💗

$55

Viktoria Abraham

$31.32

Olivia Brincat-cullen

$31.32

Leslie Leo

Good work.

$31.32

Carina Geering

So proud of u Bella!! A little something can go a long way! Xx

$31.32

Steven Top

You’re an amazing young lady and doing awesome things. I see a future Australian of the year. Keep up the great work

$55

Stefano Meleca

Auguri!

$57.42

Daniel Saldanha

Well done Bella great work!!

$261

Marika

$104.40

Nichoalos Tollas

Well done Bella. Keep the good work up. All the best in your school life.

$1.02k

Joe Difrancesco

Hello Bella Thankyou for looking after our families

$55

Treanor Family

Great job Bella. Best of luck with the challenge and hope to see you soon. Callum, Judith and Malcolm

$52.20

Gus Perez

Well done Bella, keep it up !!!!!

$365

K K Rasiah Pty Ltd

So proud of you Bella. Such a wonderful cause. Priyal’s nonna actually suffers with dementia. Wishing you every success in all your worthy endeavours

$31.32

David Lewis

Hi Bella Good luck with this project Unfortunately I am not good at Board Games Regards David

$57.42

Salvatore Savoca

Hi Bella, just a small donation in support of your kind gesture in fundraising for research of Dementia and in respect of your nonno. All the best for your efforts.

$31.32

Anonymous

So proud of you Bella... thank you for taking the initiative and the time in your very busy school life to bring awareness to this terrible disease that has affected and continue to affect so many. My sweet Mother in Law, who knew your grandparents passed away 2 years ago, afflicted by dementia. Thank you..

$31.32

Tania Trevisan

$104.40

Maria Leonard

Inspirational Bella. Well done. Your nonno would be so very proud.

$62.64

Az

:)

$10.44

Alex F

$52.20

Anonymous

Good luck Bella from all of us.

$104.40

Sonya Jayatillake

Dear Bella, Good Luck in reaching your goal for a great course! Sonya & family

$31.32

Sonya Jayatillake

Dear Bella, Good Luck in reaching your goal. Your love for your grandpa will make a big difference in many others lives in a good way. Sonya & family

$31.32

Ellen Nigro

Great cause. Thanks Bella

$104.40

Helen Sofy

Great work Bella x

$57.42

Angela Chartofillis

Thank you and Good luck xx

$52.20

Maria Costa

$50

Frank Chiment

$50

Ross Cassimatis

Best of luck Bella in reaching your goal for a great cause.

$208.80

R Russo

Thank you for all your work in raising awareness!!

$52.20

Helena Dalas

Good luck. Wishing you every success!

$57.42

Srs

Hi Bella, This is a great cause, we are really happy to contribute to this and really hope that you reach your goal! Lots of love, Aleisha

$57.42

David Herman

Well done Bella happy to donate and good luck in your future endeavours

$18.79

Anonymous

$2.09

Anonymous

$10.44

Anonymous

$1.04

Anonymous

$2

Anonymous

$1

Scott Dilley

$10.44

Anonymous

$15.66

Anonymous

$292.32

Anonymous

$104.40

Abdallah Mahmoud

$31.32

Anonymous

$104.40

Mrs C G

Hi Bella Thank you and well done for promoting awareness on such an important issue. Wishing you all the best X

$515

Anonymous