A man from the south of the island is raising money for those living alone throughout the lockdown.

Seventy-nine-year-old Charles Coole of Port Erin is asking people to sponsor him to play the card game patience, or solitaire as it is sometimes known, at home as many times as he can before he turns 80 on February 14.

Mr Coole said he receives around-the-clock care from his wife, Lesley, and suffers from a variety of health problems. He said he is playing the card game for Southern Befrienders because they help people living alone, especially throughout the lockdown.

On his crowdfunding page, his daughter has posted regular updates about his progress and has so far beat his £1,000 fundraising target. She posted on Sunday: ’Thank you all for raising over £1,000! I can’t quite believe it with so many days yet to play.’

Scheme manager of Southern Befrienders, Val Haslam said: ’We are bowled over by what Charles is doing to raise money for Southern Befrienders. We know the family and are very grateful to them for supporting us and to everyone that’s donated to their page. The game is appropriate because so many people spend endless time alone.’

Donations can be made online at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/caroline-coole-2