Carers in Norwich have been given a £1,000 boost to provide them with computers.

The Comic Relief funding will be used by Chill 4 Us Carers to get as many city carers as possible online.

The non-profit organisation runs an online community in a bid to combat the stress, loneliness and isolation experienced by carers.

Founder Wendy Maxwell, from Hellesdon, said: 'Usually we have to ask carers to wait until a laptop or computer is donated to us but this grant means we will be able to buy either second-hand laptops or possibly even tablets for carers who live in Norwich if they receive carers' allowance and an income-based benefit.

'What they really need it for is the loneliness. They are often isolated and need the support and friendship and they can get that 24 hours a day online.

'We have members posting nearly every quarter of an hour and we are the main peer support website for carers in the country.'

The grant has been dished out by the Norfolk Community Foundation as part of Comic Relief's Local Communities Programme.

Mrs Maxwell is also appealing for help in running Chill 4 Us.

She said: 'I'm in my 70s now and my health isn't good and I'm really struggling.

'I've not found anybody prepared to take on Chill and do what I do without being paid for it.

'The members love it and want to keep it.

'We still only get £300 a year from Norfolk County Council and the rest of the money comes from me writing begging letters or applying for grants.'

Mrs Maxwell would like to raise the necessary £5,000 to turn Chill 4 Us into a registered charity which would make future fundraising and grant applications far simpler.

Charity status would also mean the organisation could look to a future where a paid member of staff could run the site for a few hours every day, from home.

To contact Chill 4 Us Carers email support@chill4us.com or call 01603 340193. The website address is www.chill4uscarers.co.uk