A MYSTERY donor concerned about the effects of dementia has given �20,000 to a Suffolk charity, which will help prevent it from reining in its services through the credit crunch.

A MYSTERY donor concerned about the effects of dementia has given �20,000 to a Suffolk charity, which will help prevent it from reining in its services through the credit crunch.

The money - the largest single donation Age Concern Suffolk has ever received from a living donor - is set to benefit the ever-growing elderly population in the county.

It comes at a time when people are tightening their financial belts harder than ever before and charities are reporting funds are becoming increasingly difficult to generate.

The pensioner, from West Suffolk, wishes to remain anonymous but has said she is glad her money will directly benefit local pensioners currently feeling the full force of the economic storm.

The charity revealed the woman has now donated a total of �40,000 to their work over the last two years alone.

Maggie James, their fundraising and development officer, said: “We are so delighted that one of our loyal and local supporters, who has been involved with us for seven years, has chosen to assist us again, particularly at this difficult economic time.”

She said the charity is receiving “unprecedented demands” for its services throughout Suffolk due to the credit crunch, which was coming at a time when finances were becoming harder than ever to secure.

A dementia service which gave practical advice and support to sufferers and their families had to be axed three years ago due to financial constraints, but the charity is now looking to secure its current work with dementia patients as a result of the large donation.

The charity needs to raise more than �12,000 each month just to keep its services running at their current level.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to Age Concern Suffolk, or who would like to get involved with the charities work, can contact Maggie James on 01473 298688.