Braintree Carnival Court carried out their royal duty of presenting £2,000 to this year’s chosen charity.

Generous people who lined the streets of Braintree on June 6 raised the cash which went to SMA Support UK - a charity which helps families affected by spinal muscular atrophy.

Lisa Southgate, 38, of Stevenson Road, Braintree, tragically lost her baby son, Jack, to the disease in 2011.

She and her mum, Sandra Miller, were there to receive the cheque last Wednesday on behalf of the charity.

She said: "It was completely overwhelming really.

"There are lots of lovely people out there and it was completely unexpected.

"It will help other families and children that are going through some awful times."

See tomorrow's Braintree and Witham Times for more.