TENANTS from the The Horsepool Supported Housing Scheme in Berry Hill have donated over £800 from their social fund kitty to two local charities, Great Western Air Ambulance and Great Oaks Hospice.

Tenants at the Two Rivers Housing scheme held raffles, cake bake-offs and coffee mornings to raise the money for their social fund which traditionally helps pay for trips away and days out. However, the residents felt that on this occasion all the money they had in the kitty should be given away to help support these charitable organisations.

Mrs Roberts of The Horsepool said: "We raise money all year to go into our social fund and felt that these two charities deserve the money so we donated it all.

Both charities do such great work in our community and we wanted to do our bit to support them, I hope we continue to raise money for these two charities."

Penny Weir from Great Western Air Ambulance said: "I cannot tell you how grateful we are to all the tenants at the Horsepool.  Great Western Air Ambulance Charity is funded entirely by voluntary donations, and to maintain our vital service to the community, we need to raise more than £1 million per year.  We simply could not manage this without generous gifts such as this one."

Jane Hamilton from the Great Oaks Hospice added: "This donation typifies the resolute generosity of people in the Forest of Dean. The hospice was created by the community, for the community and continues to grow because of the support of the community. On behalf of everyone who uses Great Oaks, thank you"