A donation of £5,000 from AstraZeneca will enable Age Concern East Cheshire to extend day care facilities for physically frail elderly people in Poynton and Knutsford.

Physically Frail Day Care Centres are open between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., one day a week, in seven locations throughout East Cheshire. Many of those who attend have limited mobility, some are recovering from strokes, some have hearing and visual impairments, others are socially isolated and depressed.

"We provide transport, lunch and entertainment for up to 20 clients at a time," said Madelyn Bridge, Chief executive of Age Concern East Cheshire. "One-to-one attention is essential to ensure that they enjoy a safe and stimulating day. This donation from AstraZeneca will enable us to recruit and train more volunteer helpers for our Centres in Poynton and Knutsford. It will also mean we can buy more equipment and extend the number of home visits we can make in those two areas, to assess the needs of new clients and their families."

Wendy Priest, Community Relations Officer for AstraZeneca in the North West, said: "We believe in making a positive contribution in our local communities and support a range of initiatives through sponsorship and charitable donations. Age Concern's Physically Frail Day Centres meet a real need in the community, providing an enjoyable environment for the elderly whilst giving their carers a respite from their responsibilities. We are pleased to have been of help."

Age Concern East Cheshire was established in 1988 as an independent local charity, part of the national federation of Age Concern organisations promoting the welfare of all older people. Age Concern East Cheshire works to provide local services for older people in Macclesfield Borough and Congleton Town.

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