Citizens Advice Rutland secures £10million for people with long-term health conditions thanks to funding from For Rutland volunteers

People living with long-term health conditions have benefited from £10million of financial help thanks to a community-funded service.

The For Rutland fundraising group has been paying for two advisers at Citizens Advice Rutland since its launch in 2014.

Hot on the heels of its 10th anniversary, For Rutland is celebrating a new milestone since its advisers have helped people to secure £10million in grants, benefits and debt write-offs.

Among those are a single man with dementia who was helped to claim disability benefit and council tax exemption, totaling £10,000 a year.

Another man who was struggling with his eyesight was able to join a befriending service and claim a Blue Badge, Blind Persons Allowance, Pension Credit and council tax exemption. He was £120 a week better off and no longer felt isolated.

For Rutland needs to raise about £80,000 a year to pay for the advisers. Its next event is the Good and New secondhand clothing sale, which is taking place at Rutland Hall Hotel for the first time.

The first night of the sale will take place on Friday, March 28 from 5-8pm. Tickets cost £25 in advance from www.forrutland.org.uk and include champagne and canapés provided by Hambleton Hall.

The main sale will take place on Saturday, March 29 from 8.30am until 1pm. Admission is £5 and all clothing will be half price.

People who would like to donate clothes for the sale can arrange a collection or drop-off by emailing info@forrutland.org.uk

The group is also hosing a coffee morning for anyone who would like to join as a volunteer. It will be held on Tuesday, February 4 at 10.30am at 20b Oakham Enterprise Park, Ashwell Road, LE15 7TU.