Four south Essex community groups attended The Health Lottery Tea Party at the Savoy Hotel in London, hosted by Simon Cowell.

The Health Lottery Tea Party celebrated groups and organisations in neighbourhoods across Great Britain that are helping to make where they live an even better place.

The day showcased the incredible work that thousands of charities are doing to reduce health inequalities, with the help of funds from the Health Lottery.

In attendance were Active Essex Foundation, Kitchen 49, Transpire – Southend Trans Network and CAST - Communities and Sanctuary Seekers Together, based in Westcliff, who are all funded by People’s Health Trust using money raised through The Health Lottery in the East.

Louise Voyce, from the Active Essex Foundation in Canvey, said: “We had so much fun at the Tea Party. We felt honoured to be invited to join so many incredible charities to celebrate £100m raised through The Health Lottery.

“It was a fantastic day and so amazing to be at an event with celebrities like Simon Cowell.”

Samantha Elliot, from Kitchen 49, based in Southend, said: “We are so grateful for this funding through The Health Lottery – without it we simply couldn’t support as many people as we do in Southend. It was great to be invited by the Tea Party and be surrounded by celebrities like Simon Cowell.”

The event also celebrated over £100 million being raised through The Health Lottery for good causes.

Annette Basham from Transpire said: “It was great to meet other grassroots community groups at The Health Lottery Tea Party who, like us, are helping to reduce social isolation, improve health and increase self-esteem.”

Stanford Biti from CAST - Communities and Sanctuary Seekers Together said: “We were so happy to be invited to this fantastic event and be part of the day celebrating an incredible £100m being raised for good causes.”

John Hume, Chief Executive of People’s Health Trust, said: “Thanks to players of The Health Lottery an incredible £100m has been raised for good causes.

“It was important to celebrate the amazing work local charities and community groups are doing in their neighbourhoods, which wouldn’t have been possible without this money.”

As well as charity guests attending the Tea Party, there were other supporters of The Health Lottery, including Ayda Field, Darius and Nick Ferrari.