Charity Home-Start East Surrey, which helps families who have at least one child under five years old and who are undergoing hardships, has celebrated its 20th anniversary with a fundraising evening anticipated to have raised around £5,000.

The cause held its milestone anniversary dinner-dance at Bletchingley Golf Club last month.

Lynne Martin, the charity's chairman of trustees, said: “It was attended by over 100 friends and supporters and we anticipate raising around £5,000 in much-needed funds for our work in supporting families with young children in the local community.”

Home-Start East Surrey helps families with at least one child under five, who are facing hardships such as domestic violence, child abuse or multiple births.

The cause, which is a member of Home-Start UK, is based in Redhill, and under its services, trained volunteers visit families regularly to provide friendship, advice and help. They also organise outings for the families to enable them to have a respite from the problems they encounter in their daily lives. Home-Start also supports the One Step at a Time initiative, to help children with disabilities and special needs in the Surrey area. Due to increasing demand, the charity has recently expanded into Mole Valley and more volunteers are needed. Home-Start East Surrey is funded by local councils and trusts, but more support is needed to cover the shortfall in the decreasing financial grants it receives. Website: www.home-start.org.uk