Residents got the chance to see how two projects are benefitting from funds donated from the Veolia Havering Riverside Trust (VHRT),

More than 100 attendees including Romford MP Andrew Rosindell visited St Helen and St Giles’s Church in Rainham and Rainham Hall last Friday, which are among 350 projects that have received its share of a �14million grant donated over the last 14 years from the trust.

Cynthia Griffin, Havering Council’s director of culture and leisure, said that the borough’s work with the Trust has become increasingly important as local communities face the challenges of reduced funding.

She said “We are proud to be associated with the work of the Veolia Havering Riverside Trust.

“We are grateful for the vital funding you have provided and look forward to continuing to work closely with you in the years.”

The visit was part of the annual review event of the VHRT at the Royals Youth Centre in Viking Way, Rainham.

Two benches were unveiled at St Helen and St Giles’s Church to mark the occasion and Rainham Hall, which is owned and managed by the National Trust received three silver birch saplings for the gardens which were planted by Havering Mayor Cllr Lynden Thorpe.

VHRT has recently awarded a �100,000 grant for the refurbishment of the Rainham War Memorial and Rainham Village Centre as part of its latest wave of funding.