Kirriemuir Age Concern regulars have spoken of their relief that it has been thrown a funding lifeline.
The group’s 30th anniversary falls at the end of this month, but what should have been a cause for celebration was set to be the end of an era after committee officials took the painful decision to give notice on the lease of the former British Linen Bank premises because of the pressures of meeting annual running costs.
They said the struggle to meet a four-figure Angus Council annual rental was crippling the organisation in its efforts to offer a daily drop-in for local senior citizens to enjoy refreshments and a chat.
News of the possible loss to the community sparked a twin-pronged response, however, with local businessman Mark Guild coming forward with an immediate donation of £3,750 to cover the next year’s rent and local councillor Iain Gaul leading moves to develop a firm business plan to secure a long-term future.
Housebuilder Mr Guild visited the centre on Wednesday to hand over the rental cheque to Age Concern chairwoman Gladys Wilson and said he was delighted to be able to assist the group.
”I read about the situation facing Age Concern and spoke to my mother about it who told me what a great job it does,” he said. ”Having been brought up in Kirrie I know lots of people, and many people know me.
”It’s the support of the community that has allowed our company to survive and thrive, so it’s a privilege to be able to help out something so worthwhile.
”It would have been such a shame to let a voluntary body that has been here for so many years just disappear so I’m delighted to have been able to help.”
The regulars include 80-year-old Jane Troup, who has been visiting for around five years.
”It’s my second home, I’m here nearly every day,” she said. ”I drop in when I’m up the town to do some shopping, but I also just come in for a cuppie and a gossip.”
Allen Ward said the friendship of the Age Concern volunteers and the regular group he meets there had been a huge support since the loss of his partner last year.
”I was so sad to hear that it was going to close but had faith that something would come up and I’m so glad for the people who come here that they have not been left with nowhere to go,” he said.
”It’s a social link and I would have been lost if it had gone.”
Mr Gaul and Miss Wilson said the aim now is to build a path for the future success of the group, heightening its profile within Kirrie to ensure it provides benefit to as many people as possible.
”We obviously have to look very carefully at costs and we have to get best value, but to me that is not always just about pounds and pennies,” said Mr Gaul.
”This is fulfilling a very important social need in Kirrie and we need to look at how that can be best carried on in the future, but in the meantime this donation is a massive boost.”
Miss Wilson added: ”The situation we were facing has generated a lot of talk about Age Concern and hopefully that will increase awareness that we are her and encourage more people in.
”It’s a social link for many people, and although we tell that the town also has the Day Care facility many of them say that they think they’re too young for that even though they may be in their 80s.”