A CHARITY which helps health projects has distributed nearly £40,000 to worthy causes.

The Colchester Catalyst Charity has given out £8 million since it was created in 1990.

And in the latest round of grants, he has given out £38,810.

It has given £20,000 to the 100,000 Smiles appeal to pay for a new playgroup at Lexden Springs special school in Colchester.

it has also donated £3,000 to the Invicta Foundation which wants to provide respite care for recovering service personnel, £10,000 towards a new minibus for the Halstead Day Centre and £1,800 for the Happy Days Children's Charity to provide respite care.

For more on this story, see today's Gazette.