A ONE-woman mission by a Chiddingfold resident who lost her mother to dementia has raised £11,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Jenny Arnot, who is commercial director of Witley-based sales and marketing agency Avansa, gained vital support from her company in her fundraising quest.

When Jenny’s mother died at the beginning of 2017, she vowed to do something to support others affected by dementia and also to help fund research into a cure by publishing a cookbook.

Her magnum opus – Unforgettable Recipes – was published last summer and includes two personal favourites donated by Miranda Gore-Brown, a former Great British Bake Off finalist.

Avansa have covered the cost of printing and publishing the book with additional support from commercial partners KP Snacks, Hi-Spirits, Dr Oetker, Sleaford Quality Foods and Cawston Press.

As all the costs of the project have been covered, 100 per cent of revenue from sales goes to support Alzheimer’s Society.

Jenny was delighted to be able to present Alzheimer’s Society with a first cheque in March from the proceeds amounting to £11,100. She was joined by Avansa managing director Alan Dowthwaite to hand it over at the charity’s Horsham headquarters.

Copies of the cookbook are still for sale and Jenny hopes to raise a further £20,000 forAlzheimer’s Society.

Her mother was dianosed with dementia in 2013 and died in January 2017. Jenny said: “It was the most challenging time of my life, seeing the person I loved – my hero, my rock and my go-to – slip away. Although still physically recognisable, she became a stranger to me and it broke my heart.

“After mum passed away I started to read more about dementia and took an interest in Alzheimer’s Society.

“It was while looking into the charity that I decided to raise funds to help them support people living with dementia like my mum.

“I knew I could use my work contacts with major food and drinks brands to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Society.

“The company I work for, Avansa, named the Alzheimer’s Society as our charity of the year and we set about creating a charity cookbook.

“It turned out to be a really cathartic process to help me come to terms with the grief of losing my dear mum. I could channel all that heartbreak into something more positive.

“The project soon snowballed, with many of our clients more than happy to get behind us. We raised more than £9,000 to produce and publish 3,000 copies of Unforgettable Recipes last summer.

“The book contains 46 wonderful recipes, all hand illustrated. As well as the amazing support of my colleagues and clients, we also received two personal recipes from Great British Bake Off finalist Miranda Gore Browne

“We are so delighted to have raised these funds to help Alzheimer’s Society support people affected by dementia and to one day find a cure. It’s a fitting tribute to my mother who really loved to cook and I’ve been so touched by the responses to the book so far.

“While promoting the book in garden centres, shops and trade events, I’ve met many people who have been through or are going through a very similar situation to mine where they have lost or are caring for a loved one with dementia, often breaking down in tears when they shared their stories with me.

“I understood their pain and grief.

“When they walked away with a copy of the cookbook, I knew they would find some comfort from the personal tributes and stories that accompany the recipes and knowing they are not alone and can call on the Alzheimer’s Society for help and advice.”

* Copies of the cookbook are still on sale and Jenny has received a great deal of positive feedback from readers not only happy to help raise money for a good cause , but also saying how much they enjoyed the recipes.

The books are available online at avansa.co.uk/unforgettable-recipes or by emailing [email protected].