Funds given to the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged have been specifically set aside to help seniors needing to repair damage to their homes from Hurricane Fabian. A cheque for $18,000 was presented to Dr. Melvin Dickinson, the director of the National Office from the Bermuda Red Cross last week. "This money has been given to us specifically for Fabian relief and the funds won't be misappropriated for anything else," Dr. Dickinson told The Royal Gazette.

But he added that the group could use another $150,000 to completely repair the damage that was caused to many of the seniors' homes.

"We're stretching every penny as much as we can," he said.

As bad weather starts to set in Dr. Dickinson said he is trying to get as many repairs done such as partial repair to roofs.

He said: "We just want to keep them safe from this weather."

Volunteers from the group are sent out to assess damage and then contractors are lined up.

"We check that the estimates from the contractors are in line with normal estimates and I have asked some of our contractors to be more lenient and they have been very, very kind. I can call them on an emergency and they'll come and have a look and help seniors anyway they can."

Dr. Dickinson said he had been receiving a lot of positive feedback including letters from seniors thanking the group for their help.

The funds also help pay the deductible for seniors who have some home insurance. Volunteers also check to make sure seniors aren't getting cheated and Dr. Dickinson added that there had been cases where contractors had overpriced repair costs on damaged homes.

"We have a pool of contractors where we can compare the prices and we are a watchdog group as well."

Dr. Dickinson said the Bermuda Red Cross, which is a charitable organisation, gave the group funds through volunteers and added that it was "unique" that they had donated the money.

He added that there was still a lot of roof damage and he hoped that more donors would offer to assist the seniors.

"I enjoy improving the lives of our seniors but we can only work with what we've got."