CLARETS striker Danny Ings helped launch a competition to raise awareness about dementia at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The ‘Dementia Butterfly’ colouring competition has been encouraging patients on the Children’s Unit to contribute to a new display at the hospital entrance.

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The Burnley and England U21 player spent some time with children on the ward and helped colour in some of the images himself.

Health chiefs have become increasingly worried about the impact of dementia, and the way in which services are offered to patients who suffer from the disease.

To try and improve care, staff East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust now place butterfly tags within patients’ notes, which alerts staff caring for dementia patient to the fact that they have requested ‘Butterfly’ care, which involves particular attention to maintaining consistency in their routine, and gently reminding them of what is happening every time a member of staff approaches.

Caroline Otieno, the trust’s dementia lead, said: “We know there are over 6,000 people living with dementia in East Lancashire and the Butterfly Scheme is an excellent initiative which shows how we are determined to improve the care of dementia sufferers in our hospitals and community settings.

“By involving children and young people in creating a fantastic display of butterflies, they are not only helping us raise awareness of dementia and the butterfly scheme but hopefully learning something about what dementia means which will no doubt touch members of their family, if not now, then in the future.”

Patients on the children’s unit have been working with play assistants, while kids attending outpatient clinics will be encouraged to take part in the competition and design their own butterfly, which will then be used to make a butterfly display in the front entrance.

There will be prizes for the best designs and the winner will be invited to see their image within the hospital display next year.

The family of former Blackburn Rovers defender Frank Kopel have also been campaigning to raise awareness around Alzheimer’s, after he died from vascular dementia last year.