Eight charities are today celebrating a windfall after it was revealed they will share in a �5million Government funding pot.

The Transition Fund helps the most vulnerable charities that are likely to be hardest hit by Government funding cuts and a large chunk of cash from the fund is heading for the county.

A �5m slice was earmarked for the East of England and eight charities from Suffolk were successful in their applications for a share of the pot, enabling them to continue their good work.

Ormiston Children and Families Trust has been awarded �500,000 to ensure its workers can carry on working with disadvantaged children in schools and homes and with families.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: “We were competing with lots of other organisations in a similar position. We are all facing local authority cuts and financially times are not easy for any charity. When we found out we were absolutely overjoyed.”

Optua UK also received �165,664 and chief executive Jayne Kilgallen said: “This money will be used to make sure we are ready for changes in the way that these services are paid for as disabled people will soon have personal budgets to spend on the services they want.”

Other Suffolk charities receiving funding are IP1, Ipswich Town Football Club Charitable Trust, Crossroads Care South East Suffolk, Out and About Trust, and Sharing Parenting. In addition, Suffolk Befriending Scheme and Suffolk Carers have also been awarded money.

Announcing the recipients, Nick Hurd, minister for civil society, said charities are facing “tough times.”

“All the charities receiving transition funds have a plan to overcome current challenges and emerge stronger. We recognise the hugely important contribution charities make to our society and we are committed to supporting them.”

n Are you helped by one of the charities that has won funding? Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk