A DAWLISH-BASED charity has been handed a monetary helping hand worth nearly £70,000 to fund future projects.

Roots Community Enhancement, a not-for-profit organisation in the town, has successfully secured the grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.

After weeks of work, lead director Rosie Dawson and volunteer Olivia Gore finalised a proposal for the funding panels.

The successful pitch has secured enough money to bankroll seven projects over the next three years.

More fundraising and donations will be needed, but services for local people have been bolstered by the news.

The group already provides various community services, including weekly community laughter yoga for stress reduction, baby massage courses, meetings for parents at risk of isolation, a children’s singing and play group, a mothers’ support group and an open bereavement group.

Roots also operates the HOPE programme for Torbay NHS and Coventry University, described as an empowering six-week course for anyone with a long term condition. The total figure which will be heading the group’s way is a handy £69,527.

To announce their funding success, Roots went ‘live’ Facebook at the bandstand in Dawlish, and invited the public to attend through the powers of social media.

An ecstatic Rosie said: ‘We have worked so hard in the community for the last 18 months, and relied upon generous donations to keep services running once our initial Awards For All grant ended in August.’

And the town councillor added: ‘We are so grateful to our supporters who have ensured that we have been able to continue.’

Fellow director Sonya Smith added: ‘To know that we can continue to offer support and opportunities to local people is an amazing feeling.

We have some incredible volunteers and meet inspirational people every day.

‘We are so fortunate that The National Lottery panel valued what we have achieved so far and want to see Roots flourish.’

The Roots team are looking for volunteers for this year – including anyone who can spare up to three hours per week to contribute to service delivery in any way they feel able.

Anyone who is interested can contact Rosie on [email protected], or find Roots Community Enhancement on Facebook.ORDER YOUR DIGITAL EDITION HERE