A CHARITY has donated more than £90,000 to three organisations helping needy children.

Colchester Children’s Charity raises money from its three shops in Mersea Road and Old Heath Road.

From the sale of donated clothes, furniture, toys and books, it has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds which have been donated to help the welfare of Colchester youngsters.

The charity was thanked by representatives from three groups which it has supported with regular donations for more than five years.

Colchester branch of the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK supports more than 40 sufferers, including nine children.

It has received £32,900 over the past five years.

Its chairman Chris Jenkinson said: “We have no budget.

We raise money and are given donations, so to get money from this charity is brilliant.

“There are 60 muscular dystrophy conditions. Many people need equipment to help them, be it special knives and forks, or wheelchairs which can cost up to £18,000.

“The children’s charity has also bought iPads for some of the children, which are great.”

The children’s charity gives regular donations to Autism Anglia, which uses the money towards the cost of its family support team.

The number of people diagnosed with autism is growing.

Anna Rogers, head of fundraising and communication, said: “We have received £31,643 since 2009.

“Some families have described the family support team as a lifeline.

“It helps greatly to have the regular income, especially as the team is funded entirely through donations.”

A further £26,000 has been given to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.

Youngsters from the Colchester area with serious conditions and complex care needs go to the Tree House Hospice, in Ipswich, for care and support.

They are also given care in their own home.

Jo Colbert, East Anglia Children’s Hospice’s fundraising manager for Essex, said: “We have more than 50 children from north-east Essex and provide a service for more than 130 individual family members.

“It is fantastic to receive this support from Colchester Children’s Charity.”

Roy Kemp, a trustee of the children’s charity, said he and the volunteers welcomed the charity representatives.

He said: “We now have three shops and we hope to keep increasing how much revenue we generate.

“It is brilliant to see the people we are helping and know the money is going to good causes.”