A CHARITY which helps elderly people living in the west of the Island has received a welcome cash donation.

The Western Live at Home Scheme provides support to 73 people and aims to improve the quality of their lives by helping them to stay at home.

Alliance and Leicester have donated £350 to the charity which it raised through holding dress down days.

George Campbell, community affairs manager for Alliance and Leicester, said: "The Western Live at Home Scheme is one of our smaller charities on the Island and is vital that these do not go unrecognised."

Fran Griffiths manager of scheme said: "The scheme has to fundraise in order to raise much of the running costs. It is vital as we now have an ageing population and one in which many more people choose to live at home. People are living to a greater age and have complex needs."

The scheme provides befriending services, social groups, drop in sessions, day centre transport and transport to essential appointments.