A SUBSTANTIAL grant of £60,000 to Age Concern in Okehampton and Torridge means the future of three local day care centres looks brighter this week.
But the grant, from a large trust which wishes to remain anonymous, will only be awarded if sufficient money is raised to meet the total costs of Age Concern's three-year development plan which is £300,000.
Centres in Okehampton, Chagford and Hatherleigh which provide a lifeline to almost 80 elderly people are under threat due to rising rent costs and the loss of heating grants.
Chief officer of Age Concern in Okehampton and Torridge, the Rev Barrie Duke said the organisation was still fighting to keep the three centres open and needed to make up a shortfall of £6,500 on this year's operations.
'Unfortunately, this grant will not pay our debts but it is a vote of confidence in our work and if we can get past this cash-flow problem the future looks bright,' he said. 'We are sure now we will reach our target of £300,000.'
The three centres will be kept open for another month during which time Age Concern will be desperately trying to raise the funds to make up the cash shortfall.
Mr Duke said he was talking to a lot of people whom he hoped might be able to help the organisation in the short term.
The centre in Hatherleigh has been open for ten years, Hatherleigh for five years and in Okehampton Age Concern took over the Poppy Centre from Social Services two years ago.
Without the day centres, Mr Duke said these people would be 'marooned at home'.
'Nobody else is providing what we do,' he said. 'People who come here get a hot meal, a warm room and company — all these things have been shown to keep people healthier.'
West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett is meeting Social Services, Devon County Council and other agencies to see what can be done to help keep the centres open.
Mr Burnett said elderly people deserved dignity and care in retirement and he said the threat to the service was 'heartbreaking'.