THE Michael Roberts Charitable Trust, who run Harlow Foodbank, the Bounty Club, Maybury Open Door and Bump to Five projects in Harlow, today join many other recipients of National Lottery finance in celebrating new funding for the charity.

In October they received the news that their bid for £476,000 over 5 years had been successful.

Chief Executive of MRCT, Andy Thornton told Your Harlow: “This has been some time in the making, but we are delighted to have got the funds to expand our work in the town. All our projects are busier than ever. This is a sad reflection of the hard-pressed times we are now in – though a great sign that supporters are helping us rise to the challenge of uniting the town to support each other. Against that backdrop, this income will help us direct more resources towards those in need. Most of the funds will help build projects we are currently delivering, which have grown by a third recently. Alongside that we hope to open some premises in town where we can draw closer to those we help and find more volunteers to join us in making Harlow a great place to live.”

As 2022 draws to a close the charity has released figures that shows the level of impact that it has had on the town in this past year:

• Over 9,000 people were helped through 4,000 food parcels at the Foodbank.
• The Bounty Club now supports 700 households a week with low-cost fresh food.
• 350+ families have been given essential items for their children through Bump to Five.
• Around 120 adults a week find regular friendship and support through the Maybury Open Door.
• In August 2022 nearly 500 families bought 3,000 low-cost school uniform items through the School Uniform Exchange partnership with Phoenix and Rainbow Services