VOLUNTARY and community groups are celebrating after securing a share of more than £7,000 in grant funding.

The 11 projects, located across Colchester and Tendring, will share £7,109 in cash thanks to Grassroots Charity, which has been distributing funding to worthy causes in north Essex for decades.

The latest cheques take the total number of grants given out by the charity to more than 1,000 since its formation in 1989.

As part of its latest round of funding, Age Concern Colchester has been awarded a grant of £1,000, which will be used to expand its services further afield.

Age Concern Colchester chief executive officer Simon Prestney said: “Age Concern is extremely grateful for the support shown by Grassroots, as we expand into Clacton and the Tendring area with befriending.

“We hope to develop our other services in the region as funding surfaces and we are delighted to commence befriending from April 1.”

North Essex Lymphoedema Support Group has been awarded £500 to continue the organisation’s work in the area.

Colchester Parent Support Group will also receive £500, Clacton’s Little Jimmys Pre-School has been awarded £1,000, and African Families in the UK will receive £480.

History organisation Clacton Victoria County History Group has been boosted by a donation of £250, while Tendring Specialist Stroke Services will get £1,000, and Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre will be given £770.

Other beneficiaries of funds are Charities Lads Needs Dads, which will receive £464, the Child First Charitable Trust, which will get £945, and Carers First, which will receive £200.

Grassroots receives money from a variety of fundraisers and then distributes it to worthy causes.

Sue Hawes, who is the director of Grassroots, said “We are extremely pleased to be able to help voluntary organisations which work so hard to improve people’s lives.

“We could not have achieved so much over the years without the help of donors who are determined to support their community.”

More information about Grassroots, or information on how to apply for funding, can be found at www.grassrootscharity.org.