MORE than 10,000 Essex charities could benefit from a new national campaign encouraging people to give more to local good causes.

The What Do You Believe In? campaign aims to increase local support for voluntary organisations, an aim it shares with the Essex Community Foundation.

St Saviour’s Housing Association, which provides a safe home for disadvantaged men in Westcliff, was recently given £500 from the Foundation’s Acorn Fund to train staff and run courses for residents.

Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said: “There are thousands of charities in Essex doing amazing things in local communities, thanks to fantastic donations and support from the public.

“Lots of small donations make a big difference to the support they can provide.

“We need everyone – regular donors, those who have stopped giving and those who have never given before – to help.”

Laura Warren, chief executive of Essex Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted to support this campaign as we see, on a daily basis, the difference small amounts of money can make when invested in dynamic local organisations, whose ability to change lives for the better is only inhibited by a lack of money.”

To find out more, call 01245 355947 or go to www.essex communityfoundation.co.uk