HOPES of creating extra-care housing for elderly people in Appleby were given a £15,000 boost.
The Oaklea Trust charity bought the former Edenside Care Home from Cumbria County Council last September. 
The residential home for older people, at Holme Street, was closed after it flooded during Storm Desmond in December 2015. Residents were permanently relocated and the property has stood empty ever since.
Oaklea plans to redevelop the site at a cost of £1 million and it needs to raise £250,000. The works will include flood-risk measures.
The Norben Charity set up by former Appleby vicar Peter Norton has donated £15,000 to the project. 
The clergyman, who now lives in Ireland, used to visit residents at Edenside and knew how much the home meant to people.
The charity’s Dot Anderton, who farms locally, is pictured with Oaklea’s CEO Clive Wigley. Oaklea said the gift had kicked off the project “in grand style”.