ONE of Hull's best-loved charities has found a new home after the closure of the city's trades and labour club.
Golden Leaves is moving to Banks Harbour pub in Beverley Road after landlord Danny Banks stepped in to offer them a new venue.
The organisation, which is a former Mail Charity of the Year, will now hold its Pensioner's Club at the pub every Monday.
Organiser Rose Sutcliffe said: "We're just so relieved we've got somewhere else to go.
"We can't thank Danny enough for coming forward. It's where we started all those years ago and we're delighted to be going back."
The Trades and Labour Club in Beverley Road closed its doors for good earlier this month, forcing many organisations to seek new places to hold their events and meetings.
Mrs Sutcliffe said: "I'd heard rumours that it was closing for ages but nothing was said officially. One of my members told me last week and I starting calling around the members to tell them.
"I've known Danny for years. but he left the pub and I bumped into him a little while ago and he told me he was back.
"When this happened to the club, he called me and said come back to where we belong. He's always been so good with Golden Leaves and we're really glad of his support."
About 50 older people attend the Monday meetings held by Golden Leaves and pay £1.50 for a game of bingo and raffle and fun.
Money raised through the meetings goes to providing social outings, holidays and meals out for members.
Mrs Sutcliffe set up Golden Leaves in 1996 with her friend Lynne Greening as a promise to her dying mother that she would dedicate her life to helping older people.
The name of the group was chosen to represent people in their autumn years, with the motto "helping them stay young at heart" and the two women set up clubs and events to reach out to people who were alone or had nowhere to go.
Lynne died in November 2002 aged just 52 after returning from a holiday in the Cotswolds with a Golden Leaves club but Mrs Sutcliffe, now 72, has carried on the work.
The group has provided lifeline telephones, special mattresses, wheelchairs and equipment for elderly people. They have also raised funds to buy a minibus for Raleigh Court and specialised housing equipment for ward 18 department of medicine for the elderly.
Danny Banks has supported Golden Leaves since its early days and was delighted to step in to help again.
He said: "Rose is just so lovely and it's been a struggle for her on her own since losing Lynne so it's nice we can help. It's a really friendly place here and they'll be really welcome."
