A FLEDGLING York group set up to speak up for the city's older residents is celebrating a National Lottery cash bonanza.
Older Citizens Advocacy York, which was only established in April, has been awarded £180,370. It will be used to help pay for a base for the group, as well as a full-time manager and part-time support worker. The group plans to start recruiting volunteers later this year and aims to be up and running by next spring. And in another major boost for the group, former Lord Mayor of York Jack Archer has given it his full backing and has been recruited as chairman.
"This is excellent news for older people in the York area," said project manager Penny Hutchinson. "There are advocacy schemes elsewhere in the country, but not here, and so we are hoping this one can successfully establish itself.
"Volunteers at the scheme will help older people in all sorts of ways, from attending appointments with them to helping out if they have been bereaved." Anyone wanting to find out more should ring Penny on 01904 552037.
Updated: 11:21 Wednesday, September 26, 2001
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