GENEROUS Maldon residents have helped raise more than £1,000 which will be donated to a relief fund supporting victims of a devastating tower block fire.

Efforts are still being made to aid those who were affected by June’s Grenfell Tower disaster which claimed the lives of 80 people, left 70 injured and many more homeless.

Maldon District Council was inundated with donations from residents when it put out an appeal for items such as clothing and toys back in June.

Three trucks full of items were taken to London to help the Grenfell Tower victims.

Leftover items were then offered out to local charities and organisations in the area.

Any donations which were surplus to requirements were sent for recycling, helping to raise £850.

The money came courtesy of the council’s partners, Green Recycling, who waived away all of their normal fees when dealing with the unwanted items.

LM Barry, who were involved in the recycling process, also donated £350 to help bring the total up and beyond the four figure mark.

A cheque for £1,200 has now been handed to the British Red Cross London Fire Relief Fund by the chairman of Maldon District Council, Henry Bass.

The Wickham Bishops and Woodham representative was delighted all donations made back in June were able to be used in some capacity.

He said: “We could not have anticipated the amount of donations we received, but council officers worked tirelessly to make sure all the donations went to good causes.”

The leader of the council, Mark Durham, paid tribute to the generosity of the town and hailed the response shown by residents.

He said: “We wanted to do what we could to support the victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster and the response has been fantastic.

"It is marvellous that we have managed to donate £1200 over and above the donations which were made.”

Rob Smith from Green Recycling, said: “I would like to congratulate Maldon District Council for organising such a great initiative one which as a local business, were proud to have been able to support.”

Visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/give-safely-to-support-those-affected-by-grenfell-tower-fire.