A CHARITY providing meals and activities for the elderly in the Dales has suffered a major setback after being flooded following heavy rainfall.

Dales Care, based in Wycar, Bedale, relaunched at the end of last year after being forced to close for 16 months due to financial problems, but has been forced to close its doors once again with trustees unable to say when it will reopen.

Trustee and treasurer Anne Gregg said: “There was a flash flood on Monday at around 4.30pm and the drains just couldn’t cope. The car park was full of water and unfortunately it all came into the centre.

“Today the carpets are coming up and we will see how long it takes for it to dry, but we also need to clean up because it was dirty water.

“It is such a blow for us because we just re-opened six months ago and everything has been going well."

Dales Care’s mission is to relieve loneliness and isolation for older people and give carers much needed respite.

It relies heavily on fundraising and donations, and was forced to close in 2016 after 25 years because funding from social services and the Alzheimer’s Society came to an end.

The charity had to stop delivering care when it re-launched, and is now focusing on encouraging people to take part in activities and enjoy a meal with others at the centre.

Mrs Gregg said: “We had been supporting groups from Wycar Chapel but that has had to stop too.

“At the moment all we can do is try to re-organise things so some of our planned activities can go ahead elsewhere. In one respect it is fortunate it happened during the summer holidays as many of our classes only run during term time.

“We will not be able to provide our lunches on Tuesday and Thursday as we normally would.

“Hopefully the insurance will sort it all out but until then we are on hold.

“We are still caring for the community but it is more about socialising and combating isolation and loneliness. We don’t want people sitting at home on their own."