Great effort for heroes

Residents from Shepway Council's sheltered housing schemes in Hythe, New Romney, Dymchuch and Lydd have raised an amazing £800 for the Help the Heroes charity.

The idea to raise money for the national charity, which supports wounded military personnel, came from a resident at Prescott House in New Romney whose son is a chief technician with the 216 squadron in the RAF Brize Norton.

Fellow tenants quickly agreed to the idea and fund raising started. It was decided to hold a raffle and extend it to include other sheltered housing schemes in Hythe, Dymchurch and Lydd. It was hoped that 40 raffle prizes could be donated, which would have raised £200.

"The response was fantastic and exceeded all expectations. Thanks to the help of several residents from all the housing schemes and three supported housing officers we soon exceeded our target," said Sally Maycock, from Prescott House. "More than 80 prizes were donated by residents and ticket sales shot through the roof. In the end we raised £800."

The draw was made at Prescott House by Sergeant Major Steve Mayden from Lydd Army Camp.