A CHILDREN'S charity is able to fund its offices for a year thanks to a large donation from the Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society.

Employees and customers of the supermarket retailer raised a huge £34,320 for Kids Inspire, a charity helping disadvantaged young people turn their lives around and give them back their future.

Many children are referred to Kids Inspire having experienced abuse, loss or anxiety, when other agencies consider them ‘too complex’ to help.

Paula Ashfield, Events & Corporate Fundraising Manager for Kids Inspire, said; “We are absolutely thrilled with this funding from Chelmsford Star, and are so pleased to have worked with them at a number of events over the last year.

"This money will cover the rental costs of our offices for a whole year, and without these premises we would be severely limited in the amount of support we could offer children who really need the extra help”.

Fundraising saw customers, members and colleagues of Chelmsford Star Co-operative contribute in their food, funeral, travel and Quadrant department stores.

Collection tins, raffles, book sales and shopping evenings all helped towards the figure raised, along with the funds collected by a Chelmsford Star team – including Cooper the Bear – who ran at this year’s Brentwood Half Marathon.

The local co-op Society, which is celebrating 150 years supporting Essex, it has been running a charity of the year scheme since 2006 and has raised over £300,000 in that time.

In addition, it supports over 330 local charities, groups and community projects as part of its day to day business.