FORMER Coventry City Reserves player has discovered a sense of purpose two years after being diagnosed with dementia.
Peter Marchi’s journey from a talented athlete to facing the struggles of being diagnosed with Vascular dementia in 2022 has been marked by his passion for sport.
From his days representing Coventry School Boys to playing football for Coventry City Reserves, Peter’s love for sports has been an integral part of his life.
He kept fit and kept doing sports right up until a series of mini strokes in 2022 which led to Peter needing full time care after a diagnosis of dementia.
His daughter, Lindsay, said: “Watching someone slip away slowly with this condition is awful.
“Seeing dad like this; there physically, but very rarely there mentally, is worse.”
Navigating the complexities of care homes and social services was daunting for Lindsay and her family.
Amidst the challenges, the family joined Sporting Memories, organised by CV Life and Coventry Moves project, which became a beacon of hope for Peter and his family.
Sporting Memories aims to combat isolation among older adults by reminiscing about Coventry’s sporting history in a dementia-friendly environment.
Hosted by city athletics legend Dave Moorcroft, these sessions have brought together hundreds of attendees, including iconic Coventry sporting figures such as FA Cup Winners Steve Ogrizovic and Dave Bennett.
Lindsay added: “When he’s at Sporting Memories, it’s like we get a piece of him back
“It’s wonderful to see. Not only has it given us and him a sense of purpose, we’re also creating new memories.”
She added the camaraderie and familiarity of faces from Peter’s football days have made these sessions feel like a big family reunion.
