MONEY FIGURES LARGE FOR AGE CONCERN SHEFFIELD...

Independent local charity Age Concern Sheffield is £8,267.64 richer today after a cash boost from award-winning Shopping Centre, Crystal Peaks.

Last year they became the Centres chosen annual charity for 2004 -05 due to their committed approach to supporting the local over 50's in Sheffield. Their services and high awareness campaigns such a 'Your Rights Week', 'Transport - Have Your Say', 'Age Discrimination' and the especially valuable 'Computers for Beginners' made the S1 Castle Square team an obvious choice.

Said Rosalind Eve, Director, Age Concern Sheffield, "To raise such a fantastic amount in one year and to have such a lot of fun in the process is testament to all those people who supported and organised the Centre's fundraising events. Many local people will benefit from the donation, which will aid some vital work in enhanced computer knowledge, because while 58% of the UK population have used the internet only 16% of those aged 65 and over have tried it. Age Concerns Life Long Learning department helps older people to explore the many ways in which technology can have a positive impact on their lives. So the money raised by Crystal Peaks will help to fund staff, equipment and training to tailor our existing 'Computers for Beginners' tuition to suit the less able or less mobile, frailer older people in our local community who can't get out and about as easy."

She added, "Training in using computers and the internet will give them access to that all important information that sometimes we take for granted, such as communication with family and friends at home or abroad, a choice in on-line delivered shopping, financial security, like e-commerce banking, and a host of other research projects like genealogy for example, that they could not have otherwise accessed but will now have the information at their fingertips. So a very big "Thank You" to Crystal Peaks for their support !”
Commented Chris Jones, Centre Manager, "Any charity that exists to help make the lives of older people more secure, comfortable, dignified and enjoyable gets my vote every time. The 'Computers for Beginners' initiative helps the elderly gain the support they need to continue their life independently and get the most out of new technology - it's heartwarming to see Age Concern Sheffield making the benefits of the internet inclusive and accessible for the over 50's in Sheffield."

-ends-

for further information, please call:
Darryl Dawson

t: 01302 759696 m: 07973 676942
e: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it