A LOCAL charity have donated robotic pets to a Herefordshire nursing home.

The charity, Friends of Herefordshire Alzheimer's & Dementia Sufferers (FHADS), have donated ten robotic cats and dogs to Broomy Hill nursing home for the residents.

The idea of robotic pets came from a tv programme about people who suffer from dementia. The Doctor explained how these robotic pets work.

He said the cats and dogs respond to being stroked with a woof or meow and are able to wag their tails, move their limbs and eyes just like a real pet would react to their owners".

Research has shown that dementia sufferers gain a great deal of comfort and solace from interacting with the robotic animals in what can only be described as an otherwise solitary world for some of the patients suffering from dementia.

The nursing home's Activity Co-ordinator Hayley Rogers said that the residents were delighted with their new friends and thanked the charity for their very kind donation.

Chris Cole, Wayne Barton and Paul Bannister started this Charity almost 12 years ago and have raised nearly £200,000 for dementia sufferers in the Local community.

This year they have also donated £10,000 to St Michael's Hospice so they could roll out their new Dementia and Wellbeing Service.

The FHADS are holding another fund raising event on September 9 and 10, at Leominster Golf Club. Anyone who would like to donate a draw prize or sponsor a hole can contact the chairman via email: w_barton@icloud.com