THE chief executive of the Wellington-based Reminiscence Learning dementia charity has been congratulated for helping to put the town on the map.

Fiona Mahoney was attending Wellington Town Council’s latest monthly meeting to discuss its exciting, but equally poignant, Chrysalis Butterfly Project which looks to create an installation of 9,413 hand-crafted butterflies to represent each person living with dementia in Somerset.

The installation will be staged at the Alan Rogers Centre at Wellington School in April.

"We wanted to do this as it’s important to raise awareness about dementia," said Fiona.

Other events are planned including a celebration butterfly dinner on Saturday, April 2; a family fun afternoon plus giant jigsaw creation on Sunday, April 3, from 11am to 4pm; and a musical extravaganza with cream tea on Monday, April 4.

Reminiscence Learning is a regional and national multi-award winning charity specialising in dementia care, activity and reminiscence. "We are really excited about this project," added Fiona.

The charity is looking for individuals, groups, organisations and businesses to buy a piece of the 100-piece giant jigsaw as part of the Chrysalis Butterfly Project at £60 a time.

Town councillors agreed at their latest meeting to spend £120 on two pieces of the jigsaw.

Mayor of Wellington Cllr Mark Lithgow said: "I know how hard Fiona works and she is so passionate about the charity."

Cllr John Thorne said: "Fiona is really doing a lot of good work and it is helping to put Wellington on the map - it really is excellent work."

Cllr Marcus Barr said: "It’s amazing work what goes on at Reminiscence Learning and I applaud Fiona for what she is doing. It’s quite worrying that there are those vulnerable people in our community who are living with dementia."

And Cllr Andrew Govier added: "I’m very pleased to support this because this is not only happening in Wellington but across Somerset and nationally."

More details about the Chrysalis Butterfly Project are available by phoning 01823 668876, emailing [email protected] or by going online at www.reminiscencelearning.co.uk