The Somerset County Gazette-backed Albemarle Appeal has received a four-figure cash boost.

An unnamed trust has pledged £5,000 towards essential building work at the Taunton organisation, which works with people with mental health or learning difficulties.

And Oakwood Church, which holds its services in the charity’s building in Albemarle Road, Taunton, has put £1,000 towards the project.

The cash will be used to upgrade the lift, add a disabled toilet and fire exit, window repairs, toilet facilities and a storeroom to ensure that its child care facilities meet OFSTED standards, re-siting the kitchen in the existing toilet block and re-locating the toilets centrally.

The Albemarle Centre’s £150,000 appeal will also involve fire protection and prevention work in its eight adjacent flats which provide individual living for vulnerable tenants.

News editor Tamsin Jones said: “As usual, the people of Taunton have shown their generosity and we have raised nearly £7,000 in only two weeks.

“It’s going to be a long haul – but we’re confident we will reach our target in the end.”