Norfolk is being encouraged to turn silver for a day to bring a bit of sparkle to the lives of older people.Whether dazzling in silver clothes and jewellery, having a glitzy dinner party or a sale of anything that shimmers - Age Concern Norfolk hopes schools, offices and community groups will Be a Silver Star on February 27.

Norfolk is being encouraged to turn silver for a day to bring a bit of sparkle to the lives of older people.

Whether dazzling in silver clothes and jewellery, having a glitzy dinner party or a sale of anything that shimmers - Age Concern Norfolk hopes schools, offices and community groups will Be a Silver Star on February 27.

The event is the first of its kind for the charity and is set to become an annual fundraising and awareness day to highlight the plight of the “silver” generation.

Silver wigs, disco tops and even a costume made of tin foil would all fit the theme but the day does not have to be about silver clobber.

With a little imagination the silver angle could be taken with a twist - a stars of the silver screen fancy dress party or offering the “silver services” of mowing someone's lawn or doing the shopping.

All Age Concern asks is that those taking part make a donation to help it continue its work to support the elderly around the county.

While many older people in the UK are relatively healthy, financially secure and enjoying their twilight years, almost one in five are living in poverty - often unable to pay their bills, heat their homes or even afford a proper meal.

Gemma Pendleton, publicity and marketing officer for Age Concern Norfolk said: “Be a Silver Star is a great opportunity to sparkle in silver, have some fun, while really making a difference to the lives of older people in Norfolk.

“You can choose to participate in as big or as small as way as you wish - every silver five pence piece counts.

“One in five older people live alone, often far from friends and family and many can become lonely and isolated. Age Concern Norfolk provides community support centres where older people can drop-in for advice or to socialise, a free information and advice helpline and a range of support and befriending services both over the telephone and in the homes of isolated older people, but to provide these services we need your help.”

In the last financial year, Age Concern Norfolk's advice and information service received 5,514 calls from older people and its benefits take-up outreach service helped 758 people to increase their income by a total of �770,225.

Volunteers can help in a variety of ways, from sorting out financial muddles and disputes to shopping, cleaning, and cooking with the older person to ensure they can stay in their own home.

February 27 is the “stellar” day when everything turns silver, but Age Concern would be thrilled to receive donations from a Silver Star fundraising event held at any time.

For more information and to get involved, contact Ms Pendleton on 01603 787111 or gemma.pendleton@acnorfolk.org.uk