AS FREEZING temperatures cover the district in an icy frost, a pensioners' group in Maldon is offering elderly residents somewhere warm to enjoy a hot meal and friendly chat.
But this group is in dire need of help and is calling on the local community to pitch in.
The WRVS lunch group based on Mill Road can only run the day centre for two days a week because the hall is in such a sorry state of disrepair.
Carol Adams, one of the volunteers who helps run the group, said: "We really are hoping some local businesses or organisations will help us, just to give the hall a real boost.
"We need more tables and chairs and the windows need replacing, so there's too much for us to do by ourselves.
"The group is so important for the people who come to us, for many of the pensioners it's the only time they will leave the house during the week.
"We pick them up at about nine and they enjoy a fresh hot cooked meal, and then are dropped home around two.
"When they're here we know they're warm and have been fed and if they've any problems we can try and help.
"We really want to run the club five days a week but the hall just isn't up to scratch, if we don't get the work done we'll just have to continue as it is until it's too bad to use any longer."
George Tavener, 87, has been coming to the club for three years.
He said: "I like it because of the companionship, we are all about the same age and it's nice to be able to come down and see your friends.
"I don't get out during the week so I really look forward to coming to the group and you couldn't ask for better helpers, they'll do anything for us."
It is these types of groups that the Chronicle's Surviving Winter Appeal is working so hard to help.
The appeal, which provides vital aid and support to pensioners during the cold winter months, has already raised more than £6,000 to help people like these in Maldon.
And this week Cllr David Williams, chairman of Maldon District Council, has pledged his support to the appeal.
Cllr Williams said: "I think the appeal is doing a really important job in helping our elderly residents and I am pleased to be supporting it as well as two food bank charities in the district.
"It is important for the people who are more comfortably well off to support those who are less fortunate.
"With the economic situation there are many people in our community who are struggling and we must do what we can to make things better for them."
Nellie Chinnery, 90, and Margaret Mason, 92, have been attending the club in Maldon for just over a year.
Nellie said: "You don't go out as much when it's so cold and we really look forward to coming to the club and the food is lovely here.
"I live opposite Margaret and told her to come here because we all have such a good time and everyone is so friendly."
Margaret added: "The volunteers really look after us so well and everyone has such a lovely time."
There are a number of ways to donate to the Surviving Winter Appeal. Text COLD00£10 (or any other amount) to 70070, visit www.justgiving.com/winter-appeal-2012 or send a cheque payable to Essex Community Foundation to the charity at 121 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0QT.
If you run a local business that could help with the hall's improvements, please call the Essex Chronicle on 01245 602718.
