Haverhill-based Reach Community Projects has been named the winner of the inaugural Hopkins Homes Suffolk Charity of the Year public vote and will receive the top donation of £7,000.

The housebuilder’s campaign received more than 2,300 votes from Suffolk residents who chose their favourite charity from a shortlist of seven.

Reach Community Projects aims to tackle poverty in and around Haverhill, and the money will be spent refurbishing meeting rooms at its resource centre in the town.

Ipswich Housing Action Group and the Halesworth Volunteer Centre came second and third in the vote and will receive donations of £2,000 and £1,000 respectively.

Additionally, Hopkins Homes will donate £250 to each of the four remaining charities in support of the excellent work they carry out across the region – they are Access Community Trust, Bury Women’s Refuge, 4YP and Bury Drop In.