A HUNDRED-year-old Maldon charity has made a donation to help fight against social inequality and transform lives.

The Joseph Henry Unwin Fund donated £300 to the Maldon branch of the Salvation Army.

The Joseph Henry Unwin Fund is a small charity originally set up for the sick and poor in Maldon in 1921.

Trustees are appointed by Maldon Town Council and consist of local councillors past and present.

It has previously donated funds to a number of local food banks and helped many families and organisations, including the Salvation Army, over the years.

Based in Wantz Road, Jon and Caron Doyle run the Maldon Salvation Army branch.

Mr Doyle said: “Last year we helped more than 80 families and more than 250 children.

“These families may have had little or nothing for their children on Christmas morning and were referred to us by statutory and voluntary agencies.

“We were able to give each child two gifts and three small stocking fillers ensuring in some way each child was able to experience the magic of Christmas.

“In addition, this year, we hosted a Christmas dinner in mid December for our Soup Stop members whose ages range from two years old to some in their 90s.

“Each year we see a number of people who are in desperate need of help with food support in the final run-up to Christmas.”

Joseph Henry Unwin Fund chairman Mark Heard said: “I am delighted to be able to help the great work the Salvation Army undertakes and I am very proud to be part of such a great little local charity which I believe more than punches above its weight.”