FOREST of Dean councillors have guaranteed the survival of Age Concern's meals-on-wheels service in the Forest of Dean with an additional grant of £5,000.
The extra money will enable up to 100 pensioners a day to receive meals through the winter.
But Age Concern committee member Guy Stenson has warned that long term survival of the service will depend on the community.
He told the Review: "We are asking each and every member of the community to do their bit to safeguard this vital lifeline. We are currently considering a number of ideas for community fundraising initiatives in the early autumn."
The £5,000 from council coffers has saved the service from closure next month and Mr Stenson said Age Concern was grateful for the support.
It was, he said, an example for the community to follow.
Mr Stenson said a number of issues had been raised at the council meeting which members thought should be clarified.
He said that while Age Concern Forest of Dean was affiliated to Age Concern England the Forest received no financial help.
Neither did Age Concern Forest of Dean receive any financial help from Age Concern Gloucestershire or the Age Concern shop in Lydney.
A "token amount of funding" was received from social services – "the amount we receive has been fixed since the charity was established in 1993 despite numerous attempts to negotiate with them for increased support," he said.