A vital support group for carers has scooped nearly £70,000 in a lottery windfall.
North East Essex Carers Support, based at Imperial House, Clacton, has received the cash for a three-year project.
The group, originally set up in 1993, has three paid staff and two volunteers and has been contacted by more than 900 clients over the past ten years.
The aim is to increase its salaried employees to five, attract a number of new volunteers and help an extra 200 people.
Co-ordinator Malcolm Batty said the organisation, previously known as the Tendring Carer Support Scheme, received lottery money in 1996 for an advocacy project.
"We are delighted that a small voluntary group which started off ten years ago has grown to such an extent and can now help even more carers," he said.
It has provided a limited service to Colchester and Braintree since 1999 and that will now be extended.
"At the moment, I go out to those areas as and when it is needed but we will have outreach posts there and staff in Colchester and Braintree one day a week from April," added Mr Batty.
In all, the group has been awarded £69,382 in Community Fund grant.
Published Friday, January 31, 2003
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