A CHARITY is hoping to win readers' votes in this year's Heart of Essex awards to help it to support more victims of crime.
Victim Support, based in High Street, Ingatestone, has been nominated for the chance to win a share of £8,000 worth of funding.
The charity's West Essex manager Allegra Scott said: "The effects of crime can be devastating. We do the best with the funds we have got but I think we could reach more people if we had more backing."
The charity is run by around 50 volunteers from across Essex who give up their time free of charge to help victims.
Mrs Scott added: "We're training members of the Essex community to give back to the Essex community. We're here to support victims of crime.
"That can vary right across the spectrum, from serious crime to minor crime. We're offering support to young people, the elderly, and all aspects of society."
Should the charity receive enough funds it hopes to provide door and window alarms for victims of crime to offer them more peace of mind.
Mrs Scott added: "It's emotional support where we enable people to get back on their own two feet.
"After a time we can point them in the direction of others who can offer them further help or, on some serious occasions, help to provide them with professional counselling."
The deadline for nominations is Sunday.
