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.
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.”
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.
“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.
“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!”
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