Champagne corks were popping this week following the announcement that a huge injection of lottery cash will ensure the survival of the Epping Forest Volunteer Bureau until 2004.

News of the £263,356 Lottery grant sparked joy among staff and volunteers.

Bureau manager Jacqui Webb said the funding means that a range of organisations in and around Ongar and North Weald will continue to benefit from the work of volunteers.

She said the award is expected to cover the cost of staff salaries, running costs and training expenses for the next three years. It is more than double the bureau's previous lottery grant of £99,500 awarded in 1998.

Ms Webb added that the award would fund an expansion programme as well as allowing the bureau to continue with its work across the district.

A training scheme for volunteers is to be developed and a full-time youth officer will be recruited and funded in partnership with the Ilford-based Jack Petchey Foundation.

She said: "It's fantastic that the charities board appreciate the work the bureau has done in the five years since we started.

"The award acknowledges the necessity of the services we offer to volunteers and voluntary organisations. We are extremely pleased to receive this funding and will continue to work very hard to ensure volunteering is accessible to everybody within the community.

"A great deal of time, effort and hard work was invested in the lottery application. In the voluntary sector you often don't know where your next funding is coming from.

"But even with champagne corks popping, it's business as usual here, and members of our team await the call of anyone who would like to know more about volunteering."

Following the announcement of its latest round of grants, the National Lottery Charities Board has announced a drive to simplify the funding application process.

Regional spokeswoman Liz Harlaar said: "Many groups have criticised our grants programme and application forms for being overly bureaucratic and complicated.''

The bureau may be contacted on 01992 564256.

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