A CHRISTMAS shopping event is being held to raise money for a charity which supports people with learning disabilities.

Evelyn Hicks, a solicitor at Levy and Co Solicitors, from Tiptree, is hosting an event for the community to raise money for the Mencap charity.

Mencap is working to improve the lives of people with a learning disability.

The charity provides round the clock care by giving advice and support on employment, health, education and more to people with a learning disability.

There will be a raffle, local produce, crystals, sweets, pet gifts, handcrafted goods and more at the event.

Evelyn was inspired to raise money for Mencap after the support they gave her daughter in laws’ family.

Evelyn said: “My son got married last year and did a speech about Mencap and it made everyone cry.

“It means a lot to us because his wife’s sister had Rett syndrome and unfortunately, she died because of it.

“In my son’s speech, he spoke about Mencap and how amazing they were in supporting her.

“They even allowed them to have a holiday place in Walton.

“No one knew he was going to do this lovely speech, everyone was crying.

“They didn’t have a wedding favour, so everyone donated to Mencap.”

Evelyn also held a sunflower competition earlier in the year to raise money.

The aim of the Christmas event is to raise awareness and money for the charity.

Her aim was to save one pound a day this year for the charity.

She said: “I’m hoping at the end of the year my £365 will be met and I can hand over the donation to the team in Chelmsford and people will be aware of Mencap.

“I volunteered to be part of the Tiptree community fridge and they will have a stall there too.

“So it’s all about showcasing the community, I am very pleased with how it is coming together.

“The charity has really been forgotten and they do so much so I wanted to do my bit to raise awareness.”

The Tiptree early Christmas fair is on Sunday, November 13 from 9.45am to 1pm at the Tiptree community centre.