A SOUTHEND student has become the first young person to get financial help from a new charity.

Aspirations has been launched by former Southend mayor Sally Carr to provide grants to help the town’s teenagers achieve their aims.

The first to benefit is Charlotte Olden, 19, who has been given vouchers for books and food to help her at university.

She was chosen because she is the first in her family to go to university.

Mrs Carr, of Marcus Avenue, Thorpe Bay, said: “I was very keen to make sure young people were able to aspire to achieve their dreams.

“We wanted to have some money so they could bid for something to help them aspire and achieve something and help them lead a better life.”

The awards will be made every three months to Southend youngsters aged between 13 and 19, and people with a learning disability up to the age of 25.

Grants of as much as £500 are available.

Former St Luke’sward councillor Mrs Carr, 70, who served as mayor between 2012 and 2013, said it could be for studies, or to buy items such as a table-tennis table for a youth group or a racquet for a talented tennis player. Applicants are asked to explain to a panel how the money would help them.

The panel includes youth workers Chris Sollis and Janice Lyons, John Harland, from the Genting Casino in Westcliff, Jacqui Harris, from the Roslin Beach Hotel, Thorpe Bay, and Roger Slocombe and Val Jarvis, who helped Mrs Carr’s charity efforts in her mayoral year.

Mrs Carr set up the charity with £7,000 from mayoral fundraising, though the committee hopes to add to the pot.

Mrs Carr said: “Throughout my mayoralty, I was trying to promote young people who don’t usually get in the limelight.”

The closing date for the next round of applications is Monday, December 1.

For an application form, email scarr12@talktalk.net