An evening of celebration has marked a year of achievements for the Suffolk Community Foundation (SCF).
The foundation held it’s annual review on Monday night, with an audience of around 300 local dignitaries and supporters, all united in the mission of ‘working together for a better Suffolk’.
The evening reflected on the foundation’s events over the year, including the 10th anniversary of Suffolk Dog Day, which has raised £500,000 since its inception, the Surviving Winter initiative and Stay Safe Online campaign.
The foundation also helped to relaunch The Foxhall Centre Lavender Trust as an independent charity when its future was put at risk.
A major theme throughout the evening was the Hidden Needs report, compiled by the foundation and the University of Suffolk to highlight the major issues faced by people in the county.
Stephen Singleton, chief executive of SCF, said; “It’s always a pleasure to gather everyone together for our annual review. It’s a very welcome celebration of the excellent work that is already underway to improve and even save lives here in Suffolk.
“We certainly have our challenges, but particularly this year it was so positive to hear the Suffolk Hidden Needs report being referred to in so many comments from the platform.
“This is such a valuable point of reference if we are to really understand the challenges we face and work even more closely together on the solutions.
“We’ve reached an exciting tipping point now where we can begin to show the positive impact that is being achieved, the coming year is all about building on this.”
Mark Pendlington, chairman of Flourish, was the key note speaker for the review. He encouraged the foundation’s partnership ambitions and said that Suffolk deserved more support as a county.
A final rallying call was provided by Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Lady Clare, Countess of Euston, who emphasised the need for the foundation to keep up its good work and to continue to do more in the future.
Tim Holder, head of public affairs at the foundation, said: “If Monday night was anything to go by, I believe Suffolk does really care and will do more to make thing better for everyone.
“I’m very excited to be a part of that.”
Suffolk based charity Musica rounded off the evening with an energetic performance on stage featuring drums and whistles.
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