A man, who was diagnosed with dementia aged 50, has been sending pre-loaded MP3 players to care homes, to help fellow dementia patients during lockdown.
Norman McNamara, who grew up in Astley Bridge, Bolton, runs his own music charity called Purple Angel.
Purple Angel creates bespoke playlists for dementia sufferers and uploads them onto MP3 players. The MP3 players are then distributed to different care homes in return for a small donation.
Norman, now 62 and living in Torquay, started the charity six years ago and was influenced by his wife, who he refers to as his angel.
Explaining the reasons for the MP3 players, he said: "Music lights up every part of the brain, it lights up more of the brain than any other activity.
"We try our best to make sure that the only songs that go on are ones they like because we don't want songs that upset them.
"It's been very successful. We've seen people come alive when they listen to music. Their eyes light up.
Since being diagnosed with Lewy Bodies dementia, Norman has written six books about what it is like to live with dementia and has opened a dementia cafe, for people with dementia to come along and talk.
Along with songs, Norman has also uploaded short stories and sounds of steam trains onto MP3 players for people who may not be into music.
For more information, email norrms@gmail.com or visit the Purple Angel website.
