A charity, aimed at helping deprived children living in Watford, has received a cash boost thanks to a grant from a Hertfordshire County Councillor.

The Bowley Charity, founded in 1951 by the late Ethel Bowley, has been given £591.75 by Liberal Democrat representative, Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, from his locality budget.

The charity relies on income from a trust fund established by Mrs Bowley and occasional donations in order to support vulnerable children in the area.

It provides small grants for purchase of children’s clothing, beds, bedding, white goods and essential household items in response to professional referrals.

In 2010 the trustees awarded grants totalling £15,997 to 67 families.

Councillor Giles-Medhurst, whose ward is Central Watford and Oxhey, said: “One of the trustees, Jan Sherlock, an Oxhey resident, approached me and made me aware of this small, but important local charity that helps those in real need with essential items.

“As I was at the end of the financial year I promised to give what money I had left, having made many grants already from my locality budget.

“I was delighted to be able to give nearly £600.”

Ginnie Cates, acting chairwoman of the charity, welcomed the funding.

She said: "We are very grateful, the extra money will enable us to help another five or six vulnerable children and their families almost immediately.”

Launched in July 2009, funding from locality budgets are used for worthy social, economic or environmental causes in Hertfordshire.

To make a donation to the Bowley Charity or findout more email: bowleycharity@gmail.com or phone Ginnie Cates on: 01923 461310.