AN impressive £17,000 was raised by the Lions Club’s Project Wenceslas, in Haslemere, to help families and individuals struggling to cook and keep warm.

Thanks to the generous donations by pensioners of their winter fuel allowances, funds are now being distributed to those in need, identified by the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and other agencies, such as Haslemere’s Tennyson’s Sure Start Children’s Centre and home/school link workers.

All payments are made on behalf of clients direct to fuel utility companies so donors can be reassured every penny goes to the advertised purpose of fuel cost relief.

Club spokesman Tony Burke said: “Farnham Lions are most appreciative of the support received from The Herald and Riverprint for their valuable sponsorship of this excellent initiative, and are especially grateful to the numerous donors who have helped to make Project Wenceslas such a practical contribution to the needs of the community in Haslemere and Farnham.”