RESIDENTS of Eden Housing Association’s Extra Care Housing Scheme in Kirkby Stephen held a coffee morning to raise money for the local medical practice.

The Mill Gardens Extra Care Scheme was officially opened this summer, with a full house of residents present for the launch. Keen to ensure they maintained their strong connection with the Kirkby Stephen area, residents organised a coffee morning, inviting the local community to attend.

Eden Housing Association’s Support and Activities Co-ordinator Debi Wilkinson and Sylvia Ganner, the Extra Care Co-ordinator were on hand to help with the event, but it was the residents themselves that gathered raffle prizes, baked cakes and made refreshments to welcome visitors to the event which raised £120.

The cheque was presented to Janet Allonby, lead receptionist at the Upper Eden Medical Practice.

Debi Wilkinson, Support and Activities Co-ordinator, said: “The residents got together to decide which cause they wanted to support. They were quite clear that they wanted the money to be used in our local area and the Upper Eden Medical Centre was a clear winner.

"Our residents like to be active and they get together on a very regular basis. This event was a great opportunity for local people to come and have a look at our new scheme and enjoy the residents’ hospitality and we were delighted with the turnout.”