AS WINTER draws closer and the temperature drops, a Kendal pensioner is encouraging more people to join a new scheme and look after their neighbours, reports Andy Bloxham.

The new Friends and Neighbours Scheme, supported by The West-morland Gazette, is intended to link those in need of a little help with neighbours willing to provide it.

Sheila Gill, 78, of Bank Street, Kendal, is looking forward to being able to call on friendly neighbours to help her to medical appointments.

She said: "I think it's a wonderful scheme because I'm asthmatic and winter is the worst time for me to get to my hospital appointments."

Mrs Gill said some people might feel too proud to ask for help but she would be happy to do so.

Mrs Gill added it was not only elderly people who could benefit: "It could help a young mother with children to look after who is not feeling 100 per cent and has no means of getting to the shops."

The scheme, which is the brainchild of Kendal mayor Coun Marilyn Molloy, groups a few streets with a named co-ordinator to link those ready to help with those in need.

Coun Molloy said the scheme would really come into its own in winter.

Volunteer John Robinson, 41, of Greenside, said: "Without the scheme, I wouldn't know about a neighbour in need and they wouldn't know I was able to help."

Abigail Staveley, manager of South Lakeland Volunteers Centre, in Kendal, said: "It's a very good scheme."

She said it would: promote vulnerable people's independence; generate community spirit; and offer the opportunity for people to give something back to their community.

The Westmorland Gazette's CommuniGate web site service, available free to non-profit groups, provides the communication framework for the scheme, which make the co-ordinator's job easier.

For more information on setting up a CommuniGate site, contact Westmorland Gazette web editor Kate Whiteside on 01539 710183 or e-mail kate.whiteside@kendal.newsquest.co.uk.

Anyone interested in setting up their own Friends and Neighbours group should call 01539 773180.