A CHARITY concert has raised almost £1,000 for a legacy fund supporting voluntary groups.

The Mayflower Legacy Fund was launched by Harwich mayor Ivan Henderson in 2020 to provide an annual source of funding to charities across Harwich and Dovercourt.

Mr Henderson started the campaign with a £10,000 allocation given to all county councillors to invest in their communities and has now grown it to almost £50,000.

Youngsters used the power of music to boost the fund even further with a concert at St Nicholas Church.

Playing the flute, clarinet, piano and drums, local talents fascinated the visitors.

Mr Henderson said: “Every young person, every child and every family living within our town matters.

“We should support them when needed. We should encourage them when needed and we should celebrate their achievements as we did at the concert.”

“If we create the opportunity for young people then they will carry on and will give it back to the community.”

Harwich MP Sir Bernard Jenkin, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex Nigel Spencer as well as the chairman of Essex County Council and Tendring Council have also attended the event.

Thanks to donations from the fund, 20 youngsters will have the opportunity to take part in a Tall Ships Sailing trip this August.

The event was organised by residents Anna Rendell-Knights and Trudy Bishop.

Anna said: “ All costs for the concert were covered so there were no expenses – every penny collected went into the fund.

“This is a fund for Harwich that anybody can apply to and all the future mayors will be able to arrange donations for.”

Teen Talk, Home-Start Harwich and the Ark Family Resource Centre are some of the charities which have benefited so far.

Donate at bit.ly/36jhFyW.