The Gannett Foundation has awarded funds to help fund a charity that focuses on helping disadvantaged and vulnerable people furnish their homes.

The foundation, which is the charitable wing of the Guardian’s parent company, Gannett, has handed over a grant of more than £1,000 to Epping Forest ReUse.

Based in Bower Hill, Epping, the charity renovates donated furniture and appliances before selling them on - offering discounted prices to vulnerable people or those receiving income-based benefits.

The non-profit organisation will buy new fabric and steam cleaners with the grant, to help breathe new life into the second-hand furnishings they receive.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The charity renovates old furniture and applicances for reuse

Matt Beckett, Epping Forest ReUse manager, said: “The grant will make a big difference, often the items that are donated to us are reasonably well used.

“But, if you can steam clean an appliance or use a fabric cleaner on a piece of furniture, it can make the world of difference, it brings the item back into a usable condition.

“There is no other service like us that focusses on helping people by giving these surplus goods back to the community.

“People need us if they have to move home for reasons such as domestic violence and there is still a shocking amount of poverty in Epping Forest for what is such an affluent area.”

For more information, visit: eppingreuse.org.uk and gannettfoundation.org.