HALESOWEN and Rowley Regis Rotary Club has handed over £2,000 to help residents at a home for people with learning disabilities.

The club has had a long association with Halas Homes in Wassell Road, Halesowen, which opened in 1976 and was the first purpose-built home of its kind locally.

It originally took in just two residents - but has grown over the years and is now registered for 33 residents, as well as offering respite facilities to give a break to the carers of people with learning disabilities.

Rotarian Brian Stokes said: "Halesowen and Rowley Regis Rotary is proud to have been associated with the Homes since its first inception.

"Over the years we have seen the provision by the home and the staff widen to its present proportions and the service provided to its residents has without doubt immeasurably improved their lifestyle and lifetime opportunities.

"Halas Homes has become an integral part of the community of Hasbury, particularly, and of Halesowen and the wider area generally and we like to think that the support given by the Rotary Club over the years has helped to sustain those advances.

"They do a wonderful job in looking after people with learning difficulties from 18 to the grave."

Members of the club, which sponsors many community and charitable activities, including the month-long Santa Sleigh tour of local streets in December, the Black Country Road Run and the Black Country Fair in Halesowen, voted unanimously to make its latest donation of £2,000.

Ten staff representatives and 10 residents from Halas Homes also joined in the Black Country Road Run earlier this month, taking part in the 5k fun run.

Alison Sayer, chief executive of Halas Homes, said: "The donation will make a significant difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities.

"We haven't yet decided what to spend it on but we are delighted and very grateful to receive such a fabulous donation."