A DAY centre for older people in Wilton has been given a boost to help continue its work.

The Wilton and District Thursday Club has received £500 following a community appeal by retirement housebuilder McCarthy and Stone on behalf of its forthcoming development in the town.

The club was set up to help combat loneliness and takes place every week at the community centre on West Street. It provides a comfortable meeting place for elderly people to interact, enjoy a hot meal and light-hearted entertainment.

Although the club receives part funding from Wiltshire Council and Age UK, the rest of the money needed to help with the running of its services is either self-funded or donated by local parish councils or families of members.

It is in urgent need of essential furniture and storage units for its members. And this donation will help them with this.

Richard Fawcus, of the Wilton and District Thursday Club, said: “Donations of this kind are extremely important to us at the Thursday Club – without them, our small number of dedicated and hardworking volunteers wouldn’t be able to do the wonderful work they do, and the support we provide wouldn’t be possible.

"Practical support from local businesses such as McCarthy and Stone means that we can continue to put in the year-round effort to help combat loneliness among elderly people in the local community, some of whom might otherwise not speak to a soul.

"The attendees have universally said that the Thursday Club is the highlight of their week and we are very thankful to McCarthy and Stone for their kind donation.”