20 Mar High Sheriff Lorna Rolfe rewards Essex charities
Voluntary organisations and people who make a major contribution to their local communities and crime prevention have been given well deserved recognition and thanks at this year’s prestigious High Sheriffs’ Awards ceremony.
An organisation which provides support for vulnerable young people with learning disabilities in Chelmsford, a mentoring programme in Clacton for boys who have an absent father and a Pubwatch scheme in Rayleigh are among those receiving awards.
More than 40 voluntary and community organisations were represented at this year’s ceremony held at Hylands House in Chelmsford where trophies, certificates and grants totalling £25,804 were presented by the outgoing High Sheriff of Essex, Lorna Rolfe.
She said, “It has been my privilege to spend time with all the organisations that look after our well-being. I have been warmly welcomed and have been constantly struck by their ‘can do’ approach to the many challenges they face.”
The grants came from the High Sheriffs’ Fund which is managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
Lorna added “ECF has been of great value to me during my year of office and the High Sheriffs’ Fund gives much needed support to the organisations helping to prevent crime and promoting community safety” said Lorna. “The Awards ceremony provides the opportunity to give them the recognition that they so rightly deserve.”
Since it came under ECF’s management in 1997 the High Sheriffs’ Fund has distributed nearly 590 grants totalling £485,000 to voluntary and community organisations.
Caroline Taylor, Chief Executive of ECF, said, “We are delighted to manage the High Sheriffs’ Fund and work with successive High Sheriffs’ so that greater support can be given to the people in the county who are working hard to tackle community safety issues at a local level.”
