WHEN a nine-year-old girl sat down to write to a centre for the elderly she offered what few others were willing to give - help.

The thoughtful youngster, who comes from Marlow but whose name has been withheld, had made a Millennium resolution to help the elderly.

Her offer comes at time when resources for care of the elderly in our communities is being stretched to the limit.

Now Age Concern has sent out an SOS to people in Marlow where a serious shortage in volunteers may soon force the organisation to restrict its service - seen by many as an lifeline to the elderly community.

The centre in Glade Road has offered many an escape from one of the worst fears of the elderly, being left alone.

Dedicated staff serve up an afternoon of conversation, food and the odd sherry to those who wish to take advantage of the charitable service.

Enid Jones, chairman for the Marlow group, said: 'We are experiencing extreme difficulty in maintaining our rotas of drivers and cooks and these are key people. We are losing them at a faster rate than we can recruit. We have never known the situation quite as bad as it is now.'

Mrs Jones, who herself will be stepping down as chairman next March, has sent out an impassioned appeal to anyone with free time to help keep this vital facility alive.

Those who use the service have spoken of their fears at losing the highlight of their week.

Dixson Recknell, 86, of Wethered Road comes down every Friday.

He said: 'When my wife died in 1992 I was in a bit of a state. I came down here crying my eyes out and they told me I should come and see them every Friday and I have been coming ever since.'

Mr Recknell, who used to chef at the Dorchester Hotel and the Criterion in London, added: 'Coming here stopped me doing something stupid. We did have a gentleman here some time ago and after his wife died we did not see him for a couple of weeks. The next thing we heard they had fished him out of the river - he could not cope alone.

'Coming here is definitely a lifeline. The worst thing about being a widow is the loneliness. To come down here and talk to people is superb, this place gives me a lot of pleasure.'

Number 38 Glade Road has been up and running since 1987 after it was bought with a loan from Wycombe District Council.

Mrs Jones urged people to come and see for themselves what goes on behind the unassuming facade.

She said: 'Once people come through the door they are quite surprised at what they find. This is such a friendly, homely place. People are totally at ease when they come here. If we don't have people to do pick-ups and drop-offs or to cook. We will have to think how to proceed.

'We are ever optimistic, you have to be. We hope that things keep going and the situation could change very quickly but there has been no change in the past three months.'

Harry Howard, 83, of Dedmere Road, Marlow, who is also a Friday regular, said the service saved him from his depression after losing much of his sight and being unable to cross the road alone.

He added: 'I noticed the sign one morning and popped in. They offered me a coffee and some biscuits and said if I got on well I should come again, I was so pleased. It is like a dose of medicine to come here, you always feel better when you leave than you did when you arrived, they are such caring people.'

Marlow is certainly not alone in its struggle to find elusive volunteers.

Age Concern headquarters in South London confirmed that it was a national issue.

Katey Karam, spokesman, said: 'It is becoming increasingly difficult to get volunteers. It is a common problem that many centres face. We wish Marlow luck in finding new recruits.'

The plight of the centre has not gone entirely unnoticed in the town - and one young individual should be an example to us all.

Anyone who feels they can offer a helping hand to Age Concern, even if it's just a couple of hours a month, call (01628) 482883 between 10am and 11am, weekdays