After generous fundraisers gathered an astonishing £76million for Red Nose Day this year, 60 organisations in Suffolk and north Essex have been awarded grants from a pot of more than £56,000 in the region.

East Anglian Daily Times: Comic Relief's big red nose svisited Broke Hall Primary School in Ipswich to encourage fundraising. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNComic Relief's big red nose svisited Broke Hall Primary School in Ipswich to encourage fundraising. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

The Comic Relief Community Cash annual project awards grants of between £500 and £1,000 for community groups, projects, charities and community interest companies across the country, and this year 45 Suffolk causes and 15 from north Essex have been the lucky recipients.

The much-needed cash provides a lifeline for groups which often rely entirely on grants and fundraising activities, meaning more top causes can keep their good work going.

Gilly Green, Comic Relief’s head of UK grants said: “The Comic Relief Community Cash initiative enables us to help more than 1,000 smaller projects all across the UK.

“The grants awarded today can be used for a wide variety of needs, from equipment for disability sports clubs, to activities bringing communities together, to specialist training for volunteers providing essential support.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Comic Relief's Community Cash grants opens today. Picture: Comic ReliefComic Relief's Community Cash grants opens today. Picture: Comic Relief (Image: Archant)

Comic Relief works with the Suffolk and Essex community foundations to make sure the money reaches those who need it most – be it sports groups, social groups or health projects.

Stephen Singleton from Suffolk Community Foundation said: “There are so many groups which are a vital resource for the community and do a massive amount on very little money.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ed Sheeran went to Liberia to visit children living on the streets and slums, many orphaned by the recent Ebola outbreak as part of the Comic Relief awareness.Ed Sheeran went to Liberia to visit children living on the streets and slums, many orphaned by the recent Ebola outbreak as part of the Comic Relief awareness. (Image: freddie claire)

“These new Comic Relief Community Cash grants will provide a welcome boost and will soon be making a difference right across the region.”

Caroline Taylor from Essex Community Foundation added: “We know that a small amount of money can go a long way in enabling them to making a real difference to their local communities.”

As media partners, the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star have once again highlighted the worthy winners, and helped decide where the grants go.

EADT editor Terry Hunt said: “I’m delighted that so many brilliant groups and organisations in Suffolk and Essex are benefiting again this year.

East Anglian Daily Times: Gunton Woodland Community Group enjoying their work - the group is among those to have been awarded funding. Picture: WALLY CROWTHERGunton Woodland Community Group enjoying their work - the group is among those to have been awarded funding. Picture: WALLY CROWTHER (Image: Archant)

“In these challenging times, money can be hard to come by, and small amounts of cash can make the world of difference to the excellent work that these groups do.

“Congratulations to all of them – and keep up the good work!”

East Anglian Daily Times: Poppies Care Farm owners Liz Marley and Lee Smith, the farm securing a grant from Comic Relief. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNPoppies Care Farm owners Liz Marley and Lee Smith, the farm securing a grant from Comic Relief. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)