POLICE officers and staff have raised hundreds for a children's charity.

Members of Essex Police Women’s Leadership and Development Forum (WLDF) raised almost £500 for PARC, a children’s charity in Braintree.

The charity provides play and recreation facilities for children with additional needs and provides short break care for their families and carers.

Chief Inspector Ronnie Egan and Sergeant Karen Brimson visited the charity to present a cheque last Thursday.

The officers were given a tour of the centre where they met some of the children and staff and learned how the money will benefit the charity.

Chief Inspector Ronnie Egan said: “It’s our privilege to support this inspiring charity and the children and their families.

"It’s been brilliant to come to the centre today and really good to see where the money is going and how they look after the children here.

"It was lovely and very humbling to meet some of the children today and see the support that is offered here by the charity.”

The money was raised during a 'life in October' event when the WLDF hosted a conference at its headquarters in Chelmsford.

Almost 100 people attended the conference and between them, they raised £436.72 with a raffle and a cake sale.

Speakers presented on issues including dealing with stressful and difficult challenges, including supporting families and carers who have children with disabilities .

Amanda Richardson, event manager at PARC, said: “I’d like to thank the police for raising this money for us.

"All money raised for PARC is really important, we are not government funded so every single penny that is donated to us goes on keeping the centre open for the 500 families that use us.

"It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the police and I want to say thank you. “