A QUARTET of vital charities are celebrating after receiving their share of a whopping £108,000 jackpot.

The four groups have all received grants from the Braintree District and Greenfields Community Fund, which has been set up to help out charities which offer life-changing support to struggling families and vulnerable people.

Braintree Foodbank has been handed the biggest slice of cash and plans to use its £40,000 grant to employ a full-time project manager to oversee the expansion of the service in the next few years.

Funding co-ordinator Dorothy Lodge said: “We are delighted to receive this funding.

“The demand for our services is growing and this money will enable us to expand our work providing emergency food and support to people in poverty.”

Abberton Rural Training received £35,200 from the community fund and will use the cash provide outdoor rural skills training to people who are unemployed or have mental health problems in the Braintree district.

Boss, Jacqui Stone said: “Our rural skills training helps local people that suffer with mental health problems.

“It gets them outside into the open air, being active and feeling proud of what they achieve.

“We also provide mental health counselling, career guidance and help to move closer to employment or further education.”

Families InFocus has been given a grant for £20,820 to help it support Braintree and Witham families who have children with disabilities or special needs.

And the Witham Town Luncheon Club has been given £12,700 to help it continue to offer hot meals to the vulnerable and elderly in the area.

Braintree Council environment boss Wendy Schmitt, who helped choose the charities, said: “It is amazing to see the difference community groups and charities are making in our district to help improve the health and wellbeing of our residents.

“It was truly inspiring to sit on the judging panel and see the great work being done and to be able to support them by providing funding to develop their work.”

The community fund was set up by Braintree Council and and Greenfields Community Housing.

It is managed by the Essex Community Foundation which seeks to help fund charities and good causes across the county.

For more information about ECF and how to apply for funding, visit: essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk or call 01245 356018.