Last weekend would have seen hundreds of cyclists take part in the On Your Bike event to raise funds for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services.

Gravesend Rotary’s popular ride had to be cancelled following the coronavirus lockdown, but now a new fundraiser has been launched to raise money for Kent’s biggest independent charity dedicated to providing support to people affected by dementia across Dartford, Swanley and Gravesham.

The club, which sees business and professional men and women serve their communities, know that the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services (ADSS) charity urgently needs funds.

Lockdown has placed extra demand on services but there has been a drastic loss of regular income along with the cancellation of fundraising events.

As a result, Rotary has launched an online appeal called 2020OYB.

ADSS has had to close its day care service and community group meetings which provided regular income but still the charity has provided the Kent Dementia Helpline and has responded to 950 inquiries since lockdown began.

ADSS chief executive Sarah Taylor said: “We want to make sure people can remain connected, engaged and safe.

“This has included virtual groups such as Singing Back the Memories, weekly activity packs posted out, welfare calls and activity videos online to join in with at home.

“This has needed more computer equipment and we want all this available free of charge so that nobody misses out.”

If you would like to help support ADSS text 2020OYB to 70470 to donate £5.

Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message. For more details click here.

The cancelled event follows the theft and ruin of a minibus stolen from the ADSS charity.

So far £5,000 has been raised to help buy a new, specialised minibus, but to provide vital transport to people living with dementia, the charity needs £42,000.

Sarah said: "Community help has been really good.

"We can work with what we raise, we could get a second hand minibus, but the idea is to get a new one so we can modify it and make it as safe as possible."

If you would like to donate towards the minibus click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford

The KM Group is committed to helping the community through the KM Charity team. For more information and to find out what other good causes you can get involved in click here.