DOZENS of things are raffled to raise money for charity.

Bottles of whisky, cakes and the occasional star prize of a family saloon car.

However none can match the unbeatable offer made by Southampton neighbourhood warden Gill Marsh to city pensioners.

Gill, 39, raffled her services to residents in sheltered housing in St Denys to raise money to pay for cookers at the Bellamy Court Lunch Club for pensioners.

And her sterling efforts raised more than £400 towards the new equipment.

Single-mum Gill, of Townhill Park, offered ticket buyers five one-hour slots of her time in the raffle.

In exchange, she offered to cook, clean and fetch shopping for the lucky winners.

She said: "I have cleaned windows for an old lady in Priory Road. I have got to clean someone's car and have to do some spring cleaning."

She added: "After spending time with residents in sheltered housing, I saw that there were lots of jobs that elderly people simply cannot do themselves, and thought that by giving up just an hour of my time I could really make a difference to their lives."

Southampton City Council member for housing and homes Councillor Paul Russell said: "Neighbourhood wardens were introduced by the council to assist local residents in all kinds of ways.

"They have proved really successful in tidying and cleaning up neighbourhoods, as well as providing an extra pair of hands for local people. Gill has certainly gone beyond the call of duty by offering to help the local community in her own time, and I would like to commend her for her actions.

"I am sure she has made a big difference to older people in St Denys."