Victim Support Essex (VSE) is appealing for more volunteers to help them continue their good work in 2004.

Tom Elliot, area manager of VSE said that the charity looked back at 2003 with pride and satisfaction, especially as the year had seen the six community branches consolidated under the umbrella of the newly established charitable company.

He added that staff and volunteers at the community based service and the court based witness service had embraced the challenges, but to help continue with their success, more volunteers were needed.

"It has been said that accountants know the price of everything but the value of nothing. We on the other hand recognise the value our volunteers bring to our service by giving freely and generously of a most precious commodity - their time. Their contribution is priceless," he said.

The appeal for volunteers also comes on the back of the release of figures show that in 2003 the Victim Support community service experienced a year on year increase of 18 per cent of victims of crime they have contacted, with the witness service being made available to 22 per cent more people attending court over the same period.

To find out more about VSE, telephone 01245 250799 for the North Essex branch, 01279 641074 for West Essex and 01702 333911 for the South Essex branch.

Published Thursday December 18, 2003

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