A TOP award has been handed to a Herefordshire charity supporting children and families.

Marches Family Network, a charity dedicated to providing vital support to children with a wide range of disabilities and their families, won the Charity or Social Enterprise of the Year award at the 2023 Herefordshire Business Awards on October 28.

The charity was established in 1982 under the auspices of Contact A Family, as a small self-help parent group.

It became independent in 1995 and is now governed by a volunteer trustee board who meet on a monthly basis.

The charity provides activities, services and short breaks for children and young people aged up to 25 with a wide range of disabilities.

Young people attend a range of group sessions so they are able to socialise with their peers and develop friendships. The team is trained to meet the varied and complex needs of the children and young people who attend the sessions.

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Rae Chambers, manager at Marches Family Network said: "I couldn't be more delighted that our charity has been recognised for the outstanding work it does to support young people, who often have very complex needs.

"The charity is a lifeline for families that sometimes have little or no support available. Caring for a child with a disability is a demanding full-time job, and the services MFN delivers are a lifeline for many families.

"I am so pleased that the staff of MFN, who work tirelessly to support children and young people are being recognised for their dedication and commitment. This is a very welcome boost and so well deserved."

The Marches Family Network said that they would like to extend their thanks to Herefordshire Means Business, who organised the event, and for the support of the business community in Herefordshire.

The charity, based at Mortimer House in Hereford, supports over 200 children and young people across Herefordshire and the surrounding areas.