Handyvan continues to serve people in later life

Age UK HandyVan continues to serve people in later life in Southend-on-Sea, Essex thanks to London Clubs International and the Rendezvous Casino at the Kursaal

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More than 600 people in later life in Southend-on-Sea, Essex will continue to benefit from the invaluable Age UK HandyVan service, thanks to a £30,000 donation from one of the UK's leading casino operators; London Clubs International (LCI).

The Mayor of Southend-on-Sea, Councillor Ann Holland today launched the Age UK HandyVan with representatives from Age UK, LCI, The Rendezvous Casino at the Kursaal and Age Concern Southend-on-Sea. The donation will allow the local HandyVan to help older people with safety, security, repairs and adaptations in the home for the next year.

The Rendezvous Casino at the Kursaal, LCI's Southend-on-Sea based casino has made the donation to Age UK to help towards the cost of providing the vital HandyVan service where a handyperson visits homes to undertake works including fitting free carbon monoxide detectors, grab rails, door and window locks and smoke alarms.

The Mayor of Southend-on-Sea, Councillor Ann Holland commented: 'I am delighted to launch and support this worthwhile scheme as making their homes secure will be a great reassurance to our older residents.'

National HandyVan Manager, Lisa Waite at Age UK, said: 'The funding from London Clubs International has enabled us to continue offering this crucial service to people in later life in Southend-on-Sea. The contribution from the Rendezvous Casino will go a long way towards enabling Age UK to help people in later life to live independently in their own home for as long as possible. We have worked with Age Concern Southend-on-Sea and Age UK Essex to identify and meet the needs of older people in the area.'

Charmian Gunnis, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at LCI said: 'Over the last four years LCI has donated £240,000 through the company's five year commitment to Age UK. Previous donations have helped people in later life on behalf of LCI casinos in Leeds, Nottingham, Glasgow, Manchester, and most recently in Southend. LCI venues also donate unclaimed lost property directly to Age UK.

'It is very important to us to be socially aware and we enjoy working closely with local communities on a nationwide basis. All staff are openly encouraged to get involved in charity fundraising on their own initiative and London Clubs International takes great pleasure in supporting this. Staff are also encouraged to volunteer in company time - up to eight hours a week per casino.

'LCI has 10 UK based casinos, offering gaming to all levels of play as well as a full entertainment package, including on-site restaurants, bars and events space within each venue.'

The Age UK HandyVan service has been serving people in later life since 1991 and has helped thousands across the UK. Age UK has a fleet of 26 vans operating throughout the country offering services to people aged 60 or over who have assets of less than £20,000 (not including their home).

For more information about the HandyVan service or to see if you can take advantage of a HandyVan in your area, contact 0845 026 1055, alternatively contact Age Concern Southend-on-Sea for more information about services operating in the area on 01702 215780.

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Notes to Editors

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

For more information and images please contact PR Manager at LCI: Lucy Sharp on 07525 951447 or email lsharp@london-clubs.co.uk

About LCI

LCI is a UK based casino operator with gaming for all tastes and every level of play as well as an additional entertainment offering within the casinos which includes high-end restaurants, bars and event space. LCI casinos in the UK include The Casino at The Empire and Empire Poker Room (London), The Playboy Club (London), The Rendezvous (Brighton and Southend), The Sportsman (London), Golden Nugget (London), Manchester235 and Alea (Nottingham and Glasgow and Leeds)

In December 2006, Caesars acquired London Clubs International. Caesars Entertainment, Inc. is a casino-entertainment provider. It owns or manages, through various subsidiaries, 48 casinos, in the USA and the UK. Its casino entertainment facilities operate primarily under the Harrah's, Caesars and Horseshoe brand names in the United States. Caesars also owns the World Series of Poker brand.

The group operates its own Code of Commitment, a public pledge to its employees and customers. London Clubs International Ltd is a socially responsible operator with a strong sense of corporate citizenship. We recognise that we have a duty to conduct our business without detrimental effects on either individuals or communities.

Within the community the Company works with charitable organisations such as Age UK and lends support at charitable fundraising events. Our most important charitable work is focused on GamCare, the national charity for problem gamblers. LCI supports its work through voluntary contributions to the Responsibility in Gambling Trust which funds treatment, research and education programme.

For more information, please visit www.lciclubs.com

Media contact: Ashley Cox
Telephone: 020 8765 7513 E
Out-of-office-hours: 07071 243 243