A VOLUNTEER intends to continue providing meals on wheels for elderly and vulnerable residents in North Yorkshire after the service had to be axed by a charity facing financial difficulties.

Diane Hosking is setting up her own voluntary organisation to ensure vulnerable and elderly residents in the Bedale area still have access to hot meals.

The Dales Care day centre had to stop its meals on wheels service as it battled funding problems. The charity has been running for more than 25 years and aims to relieve loneliness among elderly and vulnerable people, as well as helping them retain their independence and dignity.

But it is facing major financial problems in meeting its running costs and in recent weeks the centre was closed for several days. It reopened again on Monday, August 3, but without the meal deliveries.

Mrs Hosking was a volunteer providing the service for the Dales Care day centre and now is in the process of setting up a separate charity, which she intends to launch on September 2.

She said the service was about more than providing hot food and nutrition.

“It’s not just getting the hot meals to people; it’s also about them actually seeing somebody. That’s why I didn’t want it to end. It’s a very worthwhile cause,” she said.

Mrs Hosking, who has 25 years experience in providing meals on wheels, said they were aiming to provide meals for 15 people a day and operate three days a week when they start up, with the potential for increasing this number depending on funding and resources.

When it is up and running, people can contact the service themselves. It will also take referrals.

Mrs Hoskings, from Bedale, said they had been offered space in Bedale’s Chantry Hall kitchens to prepare the meals and although they had enough equipment to get by, they needed more commercial cooking equipment and volunteers to help with food preparation.

She said: “We’re ok for drivers because all the drivers I had while working for Dales Care are willing to go on driving. Certainly we need help in food preparation and cooking and so we could do with more volunteers there. Any offers of help will be gratefully received.”

To volunteer, or for more information, contact Diane on 01677-470232.