OKEHAMPTON is at risk of losing out on cash if people do not come forward and take advantage of a safety scheme.
Patrick Shea, of Okehampton Action Forum, who started up the Handyperson Scheme in the town, says he worked hard to get a Help the Aged grant of £9,000 but now it looked as if Okehampton might lose it.
The Millennium Award was granted to the scheme in October which is all about making elderly people feel safer in their homes — but so far only six people have come forward to have work carried out in their homes.
'There is about £3,000 sitting in the bank and if I don't spend it by March 1, then I will have to send it back and we will not receive the second instalment,' said Mr Shea.
'Everybody is backing this scheme — Help the Aged, the police, Age Concern — everybody except the people who it is for. It is extremely frustrating.
'We are prepared to give them a smoke alarm, chain, lock or spy-hole and fit all these things for them for no charge.'
Mr Shea said there was no catch, all they had to do was sign a form to say the work had been done. This was to show Help the Aged that the money was being spent on what it was awarded for.
'I could go out and buy a load of locks and use up some of the money but I do not see the point if nobody wants them,' added the Okehampton Action Forum chairman.
The security items are fitted by skilled workers who are retired and give their services voluntarily.
The Help the Aged awards were granted to schemes which were set up by pensioners and benefited the community.
Mr Shea formed Okehampton Forum last year which is an organisation helping elderly people to make their voices heard. The handyperson scheme is under the umbrella of the forum.
Such work as refitting a loose carpet or simple woodwork repairs are all under the volunteers' remit. Advice may also be obtained for such things as where to find specialist services and guidance on reasonable pricing.
Any enquiries can be made by telephoning 01837 54356 or popping into Action Forum at 13 The Arcade in Okehampton.
Crime Reduction Sergeant Gary Neeves, who is based at Okehampton, said: 'The elderly fear crime more than young people do and anything that can be done to allay those fears is a positive thing
'This includes increasing security so they feel safer in their homes,' he said.
The fear of crime and burglary were two priority areas for the Community Safety Partnership in West Devon and The Okehampton Handyperson Scheme was a key player in helping to reduce the fear of crime experienced by vulnerable people, he added.