A CHILDREN’S charity handed out a total of £81,000 to those in need in the Colchester area last year.

The Colchester Children’s Charity said the money will continue to be spent on mostly subsidising sensory assessments for children with autism, which would otherwise costs parents hundreds of pounds.

These assessments help parents and professionals to understand what can be impacting on a child's behaviour.

The charity has shops in Mersea Road and Old Heath Road, Colchester, and it is purely thanks to donations from members of the public which has meant it has been able to give out so much to hundreds of people in the CO postcode area.

Roy Kemp, who runs the volunteer-led charity, said: “We are really over the moon, we have got two local shops and that’s where we get our money from.”

The year before last, the charity donated £65,000 to people in need while the year before that the amount was £76,000.

The charity also provides support with rent deposits, mobility aids and zoo passes for families in need.

But Mr Kemp added the charity was being inundated with donated furniture but having to turn it away due to lack of storage space.

He appealed for someone with garage space and preferably in the Old Heath area, to offer it up.

“The shop is only big enough for a certain amount of stuff,” he added.

More volunteers are also needed at the shops.

Mr Kemp said: “All we need is someone who is honest and reliable and wants to get out of their house and do some good.

“There are all sorts of hours available, it is just unpacking things and hanging clothing up and being part of a good team.”

If you want to volunteer or can donate furniture, contact Val Thompson on 01206 509763 or Mr Kemp on 01206 860384.