ST HELENS and district branch of the Carers National Association have won their bid for £3,100 from the National Lottery Charities Board.

The money will enable the group to upgrade computer equipment to meet the demands of the Millennium.

The win coincides with the group's 10th anniversary this year and the branch and all its members will shortly be making announcements about future plans and how they hope to help make a difference for carers across St Helens.

There are estimated to be more then 20,000 carers in the borough who provide essential support every day and care for people who would otherwise rely more heavily on social and health services.

For further information regarding care issues contact either the branch (01744 25337), The Young Carers project (01744 454802) or The Carers Project on 01744 751732.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.