DARLINGTON Council has received more than £20,000 to help keep the town’s elderly warm this winter.

The £24,147 grant was awarded as part of the government’s Department of Health ‘warm homes healthy people fund’ which promotes winter well-being for the elderly.

The council will use the money to continue its partnership with Age UK Darlington to deliver the Someone Cares this Winter project over the next four months.

This will see residents recruited as Neighbours who Care to help vulnerable people by providing them with a warm meal and warm clothing and to access support and help when needed.

A warm homes adviser will provide advice on how to prepare for cold weather and will co-ordinate the distribution of free carbon monoxide detectors and night lights.

The fund will also help provide additional lunch clubs at Age UK Darlington over the winter which will be held at noon on January 4 and January 18, 2013 and then weekly, every Wednesday, until the project ends on March 31.

Councillor Andy Scott, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for Health and Partnerships said: “This is great news for Darlington.

“As winter sets in we need to be mindful of the elderly, vulnerable people within our community and help and support people wherever and whenever we can.”

He added: “This funding and the invaluable support of volunteers will make a real difference to the lives of residents in need.”

A limited number of boiler repair grants of up to £200 are also available for those in urgent need.

To find out if you qualify contact Helen Noble at Age UK Darlington via email helen.noble@ageukdarlington.org.uk or call 01325-357345.

For more information and to volunteer to become a Neighbour who Cares, visit info@ageukdarlington.org.uk or call 01325-362832.