A COLCHESTER art gallery is hoping to raise tens of thousands of pounds within a week so it can provide free meals and art and sport activities to families facing financial difficulties.

Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, is set to participate in Big Give's 2024 Arts for Impact campaign - and it is hoping to generate £20,000 in funding in doing so.

As part of the scheme, all donations will be matched by Big Give, potentially bringing the total to £40,000, should the gallery's target be met.

Sally Shaw MBE, Firstsite director, said: "From midday on Tuesday through to the following Tuesday, donations made to our Holiday Fun for Families campaign via biggive.org will be doubled, giving your generosity double the impact – at no extra cost to you.

"School holidays can put a huge amount of pressure on families’ finances, but with your help we can ease the stress.

"In the past seven years, we have brought art and movement activities, along with free hot nutritious meals, to thousands of youngsters from Colchester and the surrounding area.

"To date we have provided over 22,000 meals to local families."

To make a donation, head to bit.ly/HolidayFunForFamilies during the campaign dates to make your contribution.

Every pound donated is matched by Big Give, doubling the impact.