A WINCHESTER charity for the elderly has appointed a new chief executive.

Carole Sawyers has been appointed to the top post at Brendoncare, the Winchester based care charity for older people.

She will join the organisation in June from The Fremantle Trust, where she has been chief executive since 2002.

Ms Sawyers said: “I am passionate about the care of older people and I am really looking forward to joining Brendoncare and building on the organisation’s vision of seeking alternative service models for care.”

The current chief executive, Ron Staker, will hand over to Carole in June, following his decision to retire. He has been in post since 1992.

Under his leadership the charity has doubled its number of care centres and runs some 70 friendship clubs that tackle loneliness, attracting over 28,000 attendances each year.

Brendoncare celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and today operates 10 care centres.