At 16 many of us are learning to drive, focussing on GCSEs and keeping up a social life. But one teenager from Baldrine is doing all that and much more.

Caitlin Mackie, whose family has experience with dementia, has dedicated some of her time to raising money for and shining a spotlight on the Alzheimer’s Society.

Caitlin and her family became forever attached to the plight of dementia sufferers and their families when her grandfather was diagnosed with vascular dementia.

Following his death, Caitlin created the Manx Dementia Support Group which aims to help families affected by dementia and to raise money for local charities which provide much needed help for patients and their families.

The first event of her group was a fundraising coffee morning at Onchan Parish Hall.

With hot drinks and cakes on sale, a raffle and various games, she raised £346.33 which she had donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Caitlin told the Examiner: ’I wish it was more, but I’m proud of what we did manage to raise.

’I want to thank everyone who supported us, whether it was with their time or by donating prizes.’

While she finishes her GCSEs, her fundraising work will naturally have to take a bit of a back seat, but Caitlin said she already has plans for her next event, likely to be held over the summer.

And in the meantime, she wants highlight the issues faced by people with dementia when dealing with everyday situations that we all take for granted such as going shopping.

She said: ’There are some issues with how people are spoken to, and it is a hidden disease, but I want to raise awareness with people my age and younger, so when we’re older, we understand how hard it is.’

For more information, search Manx Dementia Support Group or Alzheimer’s Society Isle of Man on Facebook.