THOUSANDS of pounds have been handed over to a number of charities that are set to transform the lives of a number of residents. 

Millom Carnival raised £3,461 at this year's event for a variety of causes chosen by members of the public.

The money was handed out to the charities at a special presentation event, including Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRS), Speech After Stroke, Millom First Responders, the Millom mayor's appeal and the North West Air Ambulance.

Another donation was made to Isaac Kelly, a four-year-old boy suffering from autism. The carnival committee paid out £500 to create a sensory room for Isaac to help with his development. 

Isaac's mother, Zoe Kelly, was delighted by the donation. 

She said: "We've got the summerhouse coming at the beginning of September so the money from the carnival will help fill the room with sensory toys. 

"It's really calming for him and because he doesn't speak he becomes a lot more vocal in the room. 

"That room will be his space and so it will definitely make a big difference to us."

Karen Jackson-Smith, secretary of the carnival committee, said: "Seeing the outcome makes it all worthwhile. 

"We don't make a profit from it and we don't do it to make a profit. So much of it is to help get the local community together and help people in the process."

She continued: "Every little helps and it might go some way to raise awareness of the different charities. 

"There's not a lot of awareness of how much type one diabetes impacts our children's lives. 

"It's the same for Isaac - if it helps to raise awareness about what this family goes through on a day-to-day basis it's great."