GENEROUS groups have rallied round to help Whitton charity Homelink restore its garden to its former glory, after it was wrecked by vandals.

Last week we reported that pots and plants which had been donated by businesses to brighten up the garden at the respite day care centre had been ruined.

The charity, which helps relieve carers of people with long-term illnesses, feared that their tight budget would mean the damage could take some time to fix.

But a number of local groups have stepped in with donations to help them out.

Among the benefactors are the Whitton Business Association who donated two large planters on Wednesday and Lakes clothing in Whitton who donated money.

Homelink Centre development manager Paul Skelly said: "Teddington Lions Club have also pledged to help us and we have heard from various other people who have pledged to help the project long term. I think people were as annoyed as we were at what happened."

Mr Skelly said the response had come from across the borough. "From a negative comes a positive. We are very pleased with the local response which has been shown. Homelink is a community project and support from the local community is very much appreciated," he added.

Whitton Business Association secretary Joyce Pearson said: "It is hoped that these flowers will be some small recompense for the trauma and distress caused to these elderly people."