A charity which offers friendship and support to young families has been awarded a grant of £126,000.

The Big Lottery Fund has announced 18 grants, totalling £2,029,555, which it will be dishing out in the east of England

Maldon-based Home-Start, which serves the whole of the Maldon district, is celebrating after finding out it is one of the chosen 18.

The Big Lottery Fund is the joint operating name of the New Opportunities Fund and the National Lottery Charities Board.

Flic Lowe, Home-Start chairman, said the difference the money will make to the scheme is "immense".

"As well as continuing with the valuable support we provide our families, we have a number of projects we would like to undertake designed to meet the needs of our community and now, with financial security, these can be moved forward and set into action," she added.

The scheme offers support to young families with at least one child under the age of five, who are experiencing a difficult time in their lives.

Published Monday August 9, 2004

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