A PENSIONER who broke her ankle while walking her dog has spoken out in praise of a scheme to boost community spirit, reports Andy Bloxham.

Jenny Davies, 64, of Bank Street, Kendal, was in Serpentine Woods when she slipped on a patch of mud and fell.

Later, with her ankle in plaster, she could not do all the jobs she wanted to and so she called the local co-ordinator of Kendal mayor Councillor Marilyn Molloy's Friends and Neighbours Scheme.

Coun Molloy's brainchild is designed to provide a helping hand to those in need of a little aid, through jobs such as walking the dog, shopping or taking children to school.

A few streets or houses join together to form a group, which then appoints a co-ordinator who links volunteers willing to help with those in need of it.

Mrs Davies said her family, including her son and two daughters, had been brilliant while she was in plaster but there were gaps in what they could do.

She said that, once, her three children had been delayed by bad weather and were concerned their mother would not be able to get to the coal for her fire.

"I said: Don't worry, I've got this phone number I can ring'," she said. "It's just one number and you are not having to do anything officially. It's just informal. It's there if you want it."

Coun Molloy said the scheme was gradually gaining momentum and organisers had had inquiries from people who needed a hand to clear their gardens of heavy boughs during the recent storms.

The Westmorland Gazette's free website service for non-profit groups, CommuniGate, is playing a key role in helping the new Friends and Neighbours Scheme reach out.

A group on Greenside has already set up a website explaining its goals and providing information to interested residents. The website is at www.communigate.co.uk/lakes/greenside and features an information page, a guest book, a message board and a helpers list.

Each group set up within the scheme can take advantage of the free website service. A link to CommuniGate is on www.thisisthelakedistrict.co.uk.

Anyone wanting website advice can contact the Web Editor Kate Whiteside at 01539-710183 or email kate.whiteside@kendal.newsquest.co.uk.