RESIDENTS across the Braintree district have voted to support nine community organisations with vital funding.

The All In Alliance groups for Braintree, Witham and Halstead, formed by Eastlight Community Homes, have been working alongside residents to make the towns better places.

In February, each Alliance group invited community organisations to apply for a share of £3,000 to support their good work.

Last week, nine shortlisted charities attended meetings to present their pitches to residents.

In Braintree, the all-inclusive Braintree Basketball Club, for ages five to 18, scored big to win the top grant and will receive £1,250 to put towards a new kit and supporting families with fees. 

Braintree and Witham Times: Braintree Basketball Club will receive £1,250 to put towards a new kit and supporting families with feesBraintree Basketball Club will receive £1,250 to put towards a new kit and supporting families with fees (Image: N/A)

The Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens Trust will receive £1,000 for replanting the community garden after frost damage, while children’s care group POP Essex will receive £750 for a mobile hoist to help wheelchair users to access equipment.

Witham’s Edith Borthwick School for special needs pupils was voted by residents to receive the highest grant of £1,250 for specialised outdoor play equipment for wheelchair users.

Friends of Holy Family Primary School will receive £1,000 to set up a forest school to provide educational activities for children and the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity will receive £750 to provide 47 complimentary therapy sessions for local cancer patients.

In Halstead, the Empire Theatre Trust, which runs dementia-friendly cinema sessions, was chosen to receive £1,250.

Halstead Community Fridge will receive £1,000 to contribute to the redecoration and maintenance costs of the premises, and the Earls Colne Bellringers will receive £750 which will be put towards a target of £70,000 needed to restore all eight bells.

Rue Garande, Eastlight’s community engagement officer, said: “We’re thrilled that these grants will be helping local projects to continue the vital work they provide our communities.

“Their work is important to our towns, and we’re delighted that the money will be used to support the services they provide.”