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Charity helps elderly with online problems


IN AN online world, the need to help the elderly with some of the complicated decisions in life will only grow, saysMPHelenGrant. As the newly-appointedpatron of


theCitizens’Rights forOlderPeople (CROP) in Lenham, themember for Maidstone andWeald appealed for volunteers to assist the charity. CROP’s 48 trained volunteers


have been helping the elderly in care and their own homes since 1994, with online forms and resolving is- sues such as benefits,pensions,debt, complaints and accommodation. Kent’s ageing population means


thedemandfor volunteer advocates is increasing, admitsMrsGrant. She added: “As people grow older, many find themselves more and more alone. Often there will be no one tohelpwith importantdecisions andmajor changes that could affect the rest of their lives.” Following a visit to the charity’s


High Street base she said: “The care and compassion of CROP’s volun- teers was plain to see, as was the


MP for Maidstone and the Weald, Helen Grant helps CROP volunteer Anetta Jerrett take calls on the charity’s phone lines


need for such a service.” She is urg- ing people to support the service and to think about volunteering. Anne Taylor, CROP chairman,


said: “We aremost grateful toHelen for her support and for agreeing to become ourpatron.The trustees and


I hope CROP will be successful in finding newvolunteers across Kent to carry on our importantwork.” For details aboutmaking a dona-


tion or becoming a volunteer email lenham@cropkent.org.uk or call 01622 851200.


News


‘Endangered’ cows at farm


ROUNDOAK Farm in Sutton Va- lence has continued in its growth as a site of rare breed excellence, with the arrival of several White Park cattle lastmonth. White Park cattle have been kept


in Britain formore than 2,000 years, but are nowendangered. In 1973, therewere only about 60


animals left. This has now grown to approximately 950. It is classed as a minority breed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. A Roundoak Farm spokesman


said: “We have sevenWhite Parks, two ofwhich are pregnant. “The reasonwhy they are such a


rare breed is because they weren’t the best cows to cross breed. “Most farming breeds are cross


bred to be big, fat cattle. However, while it createsmore yield inmeat, it’s not the best quality. The better meat comes from rare breeds and those that haven’t been cross bred”


Maidstone Weald September 2018


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