A MUCH-needed club for the over-60s has been saved following a plea for help from a great-grandmother who helps run the popular get-together.

Earlier this month the Daily Echo revealed how, at the age of 88, Joan Cole was not only the oldest member of the Monday Club at St Francis Church in Charminster but also one of only two volunteer helpers.

Widow Joan, a stalwart at St Francis Church, lives near the church hall where Monday Club members have met for more than four decades.

But, despite being on the doorstep, Joan was finding it increasingly difficult to run the club with just one helper Shirley Del Sette from Queen’s Park.

Shirley, 73, who founded the AFC Bournemouth Junior Cherries Supporters’ Club, told the Echo how she wanted to step down to concentrate more on the church drama club.

Instead of meeting once a week, Monday Club members got together just once a month and former magistrate and language teacher Joan feared the club was facing closure. But her plea for extra help paid off when three women volunteered their services.

Joan said: “All three ladies who enquired about helping out came to our last Monday meeting and have all agreed to run the club together.

“Starting in January our weekly meetings will resume.

“It’s all thanks to the Echo and we are so grateful for your help.”

Until the New Year Monday Club members will continue to meet on the second Monday of each month at the church hall for bingo, a raffle and refreshments.

The club, which is not just aimed at parishioners, is self-financing and members pay £1.50 a week, which also helps to fund a Christmas meal and a summer outing.