A GROUP of Ilkley pensioners has scooped a Help the Aged Millennium award of nearly £3,000 to help disabled people.

The Wharfe Valley Community Project is organised by Nellie Thornton, Kathleen Wilson, Daphne Steele and Margaret Cook, who range in age from 59 to 75.

The £2,864 award will enable them to start craft classes for older people with disabilities such as arthritis, strokes or impaired sight so that they can carry on hobbies using adapted equipment or learn new interests to keep their minds and hands busy.

Mrs Thorton, of Railway Road, said: "Too often families and friends are negative, assuming that favourite hobbies will simply be impossible for older people.

"We want to change that attitude by showing that time honoured ways of doing things can be changed to suit individuals, and emphasise abilities, not disibilities."

The Help the Aged Millenium awards are run in partnership with the Millennium Commission, one of the National Lottery's good causes.

The Help the Aged scheme is for:

l People over 60 to share their energy and talents with others;

l Individuals or groups of up to five people;

l Funding of between £1,000 and £10,000;

l People living in rural communities;

l New projects which help older people, benefit the whole community, or bring generations together;

l Any activity - social, sporting, artistic, caring or historical.

The Wharfe Valley Community Project's Help the Aged Millennnium Award was one of 45 projects funded in the second round.

Other winners include oral histories, a project to tidy gardens and plant trees, a befriending scheme for people with impaired vision, a quilting club, Cornish language classes and a fitness club for the over 50s.

Dale Smith, awards co-ordinator, said: "Help the Aged's research has shown how lonely growing old in the countryside can be.

"But we also know about the abundant ideas, energy and commitment of many older people.

"The awards are a positive and practical way to empower older people, and spread the benefit to other older people in a local effective way."

The charity Help the Aged provides practical support to help older people live independent lives, particularly those who are frail, isolated or poor.

Mr Smith said: "We've already heard from lots of people intending to apply in this round.

"Although we are planning future rounds, it depends on money being left.

"So don't miss your chance, if you've got an idea for a new project - apply now."

Anyone wanting to apply for a Help the Aged Millennium Award should contact the awards desk on 0171 250 4477 between 9am and 1pm Monday to Friday.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.