A CHARITY in Chard has been given a much-needed cash injection from a group of residents with a less conventional means of raising money – by listening to songs by Des O’Connor.

The Lord’s Larder food bank received a £355 donation from the Yarlington Housing Group’s Retirement Living Scheme and residents in the surrounding area.

Dr Richard Hogben, chairman of Trustees at The Lord’s Larder, said: “We have seen an increasing need for food parcels, however, what’s fantastic is that the fundraising is also going up. That’s thanks to the communities, individuals and groups that support the charity.”

The fundraisers endured a two-hour session of listening to Des O’Connor tracks and were surprised at how much they had raised.

Scheme manager Carol Glass said: “The residents wanted to do something unique to raise funds and started talking about the worst possible singers they could be subjected to and Des O’Connor won the votes.”