A BOROUGH charity group has benefited from a cash windfall thanks to the efforts of one of its volunteers.

Re-Engage (previously Contact the Elderly) alleviates loneliness within the elderly community by helping older people re-engage with their communities through regular face-to-face contact, giving them a lifeline of friendship.

Re-Engage has eight groups in Thurrock hosting a tea party for their guests each month.

Paula Mullooly has volunteered as a host and driver for tea parties for the last two years, collecting two ladies and taking them for their 'Sunday afternoon out' each month and has become very close to both of them.

She now rings them weekly, potentially being the only real human voice they have heard that day, and even took one of them out for her 90th birthday when the lady's daughter couldn't get out to visit.

Paula has also now taken on the role of group co-ordinator.

Her efforts have been recognised by the Lloyd's Charities Trust which annually donates £4,000 to 30 charities on behalf of people in the Lloyds market who volunteer and fundraise in their spare time.

This week Paula, together with fellow Re-engage volunteers Laura Mullooly and Clarissa Wood, attended an event the Adam Room in Lloyd's of London to receive £4,000 awarded to the charity.