BUCKETS and sponges helped to raise cash for Hereford's Close House drop-in centre on the weekend.

Staff from Harrison Clark Rickerbys took advantage of the warm weather to wash cars to help the centre pay for refurbishments.

Their efforts raised more than £250 in the first step towards helping the centre with the work needed to transform a storage area into a counselling room.

They were also delighted to be offered a day’s work by painter and decorator Ben Powell, who stopped to have his van washed and offered his time after he heard about the centre’s needs.

Close House, which is based opposite Gilbies, supports young people aged between 11 and 24 by offering them a safe haven and helping them to overcome negative experiences.

Many have dropped out of school or have a troubled home life and the centre aims to help them to find a new path.

Heidi Cooper, who organised the event, said: “We are sending in a team of volunteers in May to transform a storage room into a counselling room and do some other jobs around the centre.

"As well as Ben’s offer of help, which is fantastic and very much appreciated, we also need a qualified electrician, so if anyone out there can help, please get in touch with me at hcooper@hcrlaw.com.”