A CHARITY handed out £10,000 in grants to a collection good causes as part of celebrations to mark its 50th birthday.

Staff and volunteers from Community360 organised more than 50 different fundraising events in 2018 to mark the milestone anniversary as part of its Community Chest Fund.

Community groups were invited to bid for a share of the funding and there were so many applications a special panel was set up to choose the best four schemes in Colchester and Braintree to fund.

Tracy Rudling, chief executive officer of Community360, said: "It was a tough decision, with so many worthy charities and volunteer groups in Essex. But I am delighted to say that all eight shortlisted projects received a share of our fund.

“One of the reasons we set up the Community Chest Fund was to be able to help some good causes and charities in Essex, and I am delighted we have been able to achieve this.

"However, without the dedication and commitment from our staff and volunteers this would not have been possible, they really went the extra mile and what a fabulous legacy we have created in our 50th year.”

In Colchester the first place project was Abberton care farm Wellies On, which was given £2,200 for its Together on Tuesdays project for socially isolated residents.

Managing director Ellie Goff said: "Our Together on Tuesdays Project will now benefit from a lovely cosy room where people visiting can come together and cook, eat good food and socialise.

"We were in desperate need of heating and this money has enabled us to buy heating units for our rooms.

"Many of the people who visit our project are already exposed to the cold, they could be homeless or have a home they cannot afford to heat.

"After a day out on the farm too at least our visitors can now come into the warm and enjoy our facilities.”

MS UK, Ability Through Sport and the First Monkwick Guides also received grants.

Braintree's Carers First was awarded £2,350 for it to run social groups for socially isolated people across the district as well as in Colchester.

Karen Johnson, trust and foundations manager, said: "Funding means that we will have resources to deliver ongoing wellbeing activities, events and training to support unpaid carers across Braintree and Colchester.

"We are looking forward to working with Community360 in the future."

Baby Stuff Braintree, First Stop Centre and All in Making also received grants.