THREE groups that provide vital services in the Harwich and Manningtree area are set to share a £36,000 bonus from Tendring’s Big Society Fund.

Community Voluntary Services in Tendring will receive the largest amount of £20,000. The money will go towards the cost of its new Harwich Community Wellbeing Centre in Dovercourt.

The project is expected to be completed and be up and running this summer, costing a total of £273,889.

A £10,000 cashpot from the Big Society Fund will be given to Ogilvie Hall, in Lawford. The money will go towards the scheme that is set to cost £55,000. The demand for the use of the hall continues to grow due to the new development taking place in that area of the district.

Lawford Parish Council has also been granted £6,200 to go towards the total cost of resurfacing of the remainder of School Lane Car Park which serves the sports pavilion and playing field.

Carlo Guglielmi, Tendring District Council’s councillor responsible Cabinet Member for Finance and chairman of the Big Society Fund, was pleased that three crucial organisations at the heart of their communities will benefit. He said: “We are very fortunate in Tendring to have so many excellent groups and organisations supporting and providing much-needed facilities and services to residents.”

“In many cases they are assisting some of our most vulnerable people and they deserve this funding to help them to carry on their good work.”