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A BIG-HEARTED charity worker is celebrating after she was given almost £4,000 to support children from vulnerable backgrounds across Elmbridge.
Caroline Edwards, founder of the Oasis family Trust in Cobham, is planning a series of day trips over the summer to "help bring deprived families closer together".
She believes the money could help to change the lives of disadvantaged children who have nowhere to turn when their families break up or slip into poverty.
Surrey County Council has awarded the charity £3,800 to organise the day trips to Brighton, Bognor and Legoland Windsor over the summer.
Ms Edwards said: "This money will allow us to continue our work over the summer months and basically help any families who need support.
"We usually rely on the contributions of volunteers, businesses and the man in the street, so this money is very welcome."
Ms Edwards set up the Cobham-based charity eight years ago with her two friends, Angela Rogers and Brenda Cripps.
It was in response to council cut-backs which, she believes, left some families without the necessary support networks.
The 47-year-old spent many years as a social services worker and saw first-hand the decline in funding and how it affected poorer families. She said: "There used to be a lot of help for families but the money got less and less. I knew from experience that poorer children needed support groups to give them advice and provide activities.
"Somebody taking an interest in them can actually change their lives." She admits it was difficult to establish the charity, which has a family centre in Copse Road, but says the rewards have been highly satisfying.
"We take troubled teenagers and deprived children away for the day and help them to spend time with their parents.
The one common thread between them is that they all feel isolated, either from society or each other.
"We have found that by supporting them the families do actually stay together, so the funds to pay for the schemes are essential."
There are now 50 families registered with the charity, each with children aged up to 18.
Last week, Oasis was able to organise a day-out to Thorpe Park thanks to a donation from Egham firm Proctor & Gamble. "It was a great success and shows the importance of the support we get from local businesses," says Caroline.
Anyone wanting to help the charity or get support can call the centre on 01932 887947.
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