A charity which supports people with mild learning difficulties has received hundreds of pounds in funding.

The Maldon Pioneers is one of nine charities chosen by the East of England Co-op Funeral Service’s Community Giving Scheme.

The scheme, which launched in November 2018, awarded them £625 of the £2,500 cashpot on offer.

Maldon Pioneers spokesman David Williams said they were delighted to have been selected by the scheme.

Mr Williams said: “We are very grateful for the donation from the East of England Co-op Funeral Services which will help our volunteers continue to deliver activities for our members.”

The Pioneers are people with a mild to moderate learning disability who are either living at home with parents or on their own.

The initiative provides a varied programme of social activities all year round to cater for members aged 18 and upwards.

Co-op representative Martin Gore presented the group with the cheque.

He said: “It was great to see a group of people enjoying their morning with like-minded people, building puzzles and colouring in pictures.

“It is nice to see that the work my team do not only benefits the families who have lost loved ones, but also the wider community.”

Other Essex-based charities to receive donations in this round of funding includes Walton and Frinton RNLI and Clacton Community Transport.

Every three months, the East of England Co-op Funeral Services team shares the money between good causes across the region.

For more details about the scheme, visit eastofengland.coop/funerals/community-giving-scheme.