Friendship unlimited

CAROLINE gets a kiss from Police Community Support Officer Steven Kenney (left) and PC Ian McDonald

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MOTHER and daughter Caroline Murray and Jean Hill have found a new lease of life thanks to a friendship club.

The pair make a weekly trip to Abbeyhills Community Centre to join 24 other over-60s at an event which has become a highlight of their week.

Jean (69) said: “We have been going for about three months. It’s so nice to get a group of elderly people together enjoying the same thing and a chin wag.

“Faye and June who run the club with volunteers are absolutely brilliant. They put their heart and soul into it, and if anyone can’t get there they will organise transport for them.

“I don’t think some of the people who go to the club would ever go out otherwise.”

Last week, the group got together for a surprise 91st birthday party for Mrs Murray — the oldest member — and she said: “I really enjoyed it.”

For the paltry sum of £2, plus an annual £1 membership fee, people get lunch and often some form of entertainment.

“You can have as much tea and coffee as you can drink, it’s flowing all the time,” said Jean.

“We have had talks by the fire brigade, mountain rescue and Age Concern; a visit from a theatre group and an organist and dancing. We love it.”

Jean and her mother are out somewhere every day, and have just returned from a holiday in Spain with Jean’s husband, Bryant.

They live in Abbeyhills Road and take the bus the couple of stops to the community centre.

“People have made friends,” added Jean. “We see them on the bus now and speak, whereas before we never spoke to anyone.

“If someone is missing from the club there is always someone who knows where they are, and if not we find out just to make sure they are all right.”

The club meets from 11.30am until 2pm on Thursdays. Anyone interested can go to the community centre at 398 Abbeyhills Road, or ring 0161-628 2679.