The chief executive of a North Herts charity which supports unpaid family carers and those they look after says he is ‘thrilled’ about their £2,000 windfall.

Crossroads Care North Herts is the latest charity to win a Roaring Meg Community Support Award, backed by the Comet.

The Hitchin-based charity was told the good news on Monday after members of the Roaring Meg Retail and Leisure team in Stevenage judged the entries appealing for funding for a local project.

The £2,000 will be used to buy new equipment for Crossroads’ Dementia Respite Centre in Stevenage.

“Crossroads Care is thrilled to receive support from the Roaring Meg,” said charity chief executive Michael Farrell.

“We provide practical, caring, long-term, one-to-one support to hundreds of people with care needs and their carers in this local area.

“There is a growing awareness of the demands dementia is making on the seven million unpaid carers in the UK. Last year saw a 162 per cent increase in requests for our service.

“This year we are fundraising to modernise our respite centre for local people with dementia. The centre is supported by Stevenage Borough Council and provides great activities, trips and social opportunities for our clients and 8,000 hours of breaks every year for full time unpaid carers.

“With the donation we will be providing cutting edge technology to stimulate physical and social activity through playful participation.

“During a trial of new equipment one client was swishing the leaves out of the way in time to the music playing in the background, fascinated by the special images on the screen.”

If you are caring for someone at home and need support or would like to make a donation contact Michael on 01462 455578 or visit the website – crossroadshn.org.uk.

Phil Huby of Aberdeen Asset Management, which runs Roaring Meg Retail and Leisure, said: “The response to our community initiative has been brilliant and with Stand-By-Me and TRACKS Autism currently using the award to continue providing their outstanding services, we are delighted to give Crossroads Care the opportunity to purchase essential sensory equipment.

“The Crossroads Care Day Centre is based less than a mile from Roaring Meg and is a truly amazing centre, giving support to unpaid carers and those suffering with dementia.

“We’re hoping with the help of our community award, that Crossroads Care will be able purchase the new technology in order to offer a number of activities to fit individual needs and encourage them to participate in physical and social actions.

“We have just one Roaring Meg Community Support Award left to win, so we would like to encourage local organisations, groups and charities to continue coming forward to be in with a chance to benefit from the final £2,000 donation.”

This is the third award to be handed out by the retail park. If you know a cause which could benefit from the fourth and final donation prior to May’s awards, email communitysupportaward@thecomet.net to find out more.