A local firm has stepped in to help a charity fit out its brand new resource centre, designed to support those with life-changing illnesses.

Hughes Electrical has donated a washer dryer, dishwasher, two larder fridges and two kettles to The Pear Tree Centre, located next to Cutlers Hill Surgery in Halesworth.

The £880,000 centre has been built by the Pear Tree Fund, which was originally known as Halesworth Community Nursing Care Fund and has operated in the town since 1989 when it was set up by three nurses.

It will serve around 50,000 people who live within a 15-mile radius and offer a huge variety of support and resources for people with cancer and other life-changing conditions, as well as their family and carers.

"When we were approached by the Pear Tree Fund about providing electrical goods, we were only too pleased to help," said Louis Gasson, manager of Hughes' branch in Bridge Street, Halesworth.

"As a company operating in the town for decades, we are well aware of the fantastic work the charity does, and the great resource it is for people in the area. So, with help from our friends at Hotpoint we were able to provide and install the goods they were looking for."

Jane Edwards, a trustee of the Pear Tree Fund and one of its founders, said: "We are very grateful to Hughes for their fantastic support. The equipment they have provided will be incredibly useful and make a big difference to the day-to-day running of the centre.

"The washer dryer will ensure we have a constant supply of clean towels ready for use during complementary therapies, which is vitally important as we will need a new towel for each visitor to meet infection control standards.

"One of the fridges will be in the atrium and the second in the group room so that visitors can help themselves to drinks whenever they wish, in turn helping create a homely and relaxing feel at the centre.

"We chose to approach Hughes as it is a local company with a very good reputation. We were so pleased when they agreed to help."