TWO HAMPSHIRE residents are backing a poignant light campaign.

On December 1 Woolston Millennium Garden was lit up with hundreds of sponsored lights that are in memory of loved ones.

The Tree of Light Campaign has taken place in the city for the past ten years and it helps raise money for Communicare, a charity who aim to eradicate loneliness through befriending.

Although the switch on has already taken place, residents can still give to the campaign to help the charity continue their work throughout the city.

Larry Walder, a retired pub landlord has been volunteering for Comunicare for three years and he has been befriending Gladys Smith,95 for the past year.

Both of them are backing the campaign.

Larry befriends three other people as well as Gladys and he also deals with Communicares assessment visits.

He goes and speaks to those people who want to join Communicare and receive the befriending service.

Gladys said: "As soon as I first met Larry I knew I wanted him to come back.

"He always has something to say and we laugh a lot."

Larry said: "I enjoy doing this as I like to be active and get out and about.

"It is also something that both she and I can look forward to.

Gladys daughter Victoria Smith said: "We all need human contact.

"So many old people are starved of company and as much as I help out, I can't fill all of the hours in the day and

Larry is just brilliant."

Larry said: "Me and Gladys have a wail of a time and I genuinely enjoy coming here."

To donate the suggested amount of £7 to the campaign visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/1015629951951334/ or call 02380216016.