A CHARITY for the homeless has received a £1,000 donation from a mobile phone operator to enable it to provide essential services such as emergency housing and food.

Southend-based Harp has received the money from Vodafone UK to pay for its work helping homeless people to rebuild their lives independently in the community.

The charity was also awarded the Vodafone Community Connection award.

Catherine Hodgson, community fundraiser for Harp, said: “We are delighted to be receiving the Vodafone Community Connect Award.

“As a local charity, we rely on the community to help keep our critical services running, especially at this time of year. This donation will help us do that.”

John Fanibe, store manager of Vodafone, in Southend High Street, said: “Vodafone in Southend is very proud to support the great work being done by Harp.

“It plays such an important role in the community and we really appreciate the great work it does.”

The awards, launched in 2014, have already made a difference to more than 60 local communities across the UK and have been used to help support everything from new equipment for soup kitchens and day centres for the elderly to helping people with disabilities to take part in sporting activities.