A community support club helping dementia sufferers and the elderly has received a massive boost following an unexpected donation from a former organisation.

The Christian Renewal for Education and Social Tasks (CREST) Waltham Forest has been presented with a cheque of £5,000 by the former treasurer and secretary of the Chingford Association for the Physically Handicapped.

The association closed down in July 2012 after 64 years of serving the community due to a lack of funds and volunteers.

For three years, the remaining funds were held in a bank account but have now been released and donated to CREST's community support club.

The club provides activities and respite for around 45 people experiencing disability and dementia at Albany Court in Leyton on Tuesdays, and at the former South Chingford Library in Hall Lane on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Set up in 1971, this is the first year CREST has not received a grant from the council.

Alan Horne, manager of CREST, said: "We have been struggling to survive on a day-to-day basis as we now rely on people to pay for services to make the club sustainable.

"This donation has certainly given us stability at a time of transition and great uncertainty.

"It's a fantastic boost for us and completely gratifying.

"We were bowled over by the news as it came out of the blue."

Former president of the association, Leslie Stone MBE, added: "The money was to be given to a similar service and I'm we were able to find CREST."

The money will be used to pay for events and transport.