A popular west Suffolk music festival – which raised £16,000 for different charities – distributed the money to worthy causes at a special presentation evening.
This year’s Bures Music Festival, which was held in July, enjoyed record attendance across many of its events, resulting in a significance increase in money raised.
Many different charities attended the special presentation evening at the Eight Bells pub in Bures on September 28, and organisers said they were delighted to be able to donate to their proceeds.
Among the many recipients were Ferriers Barn day centre, on the outskirts of Bures, which cares for people with disabilities.
On receiving a cheque for £2,500, representative Nicola Goodman said: “We’re hugely grateful to everyone involved in the festival.
“The money we’ve received will be spent replacing the wooden windows and installing fire doors, which will make the barn safe and warm for everyone.”
The Dream Appeal, which raises money for seriously ill children at Colchester General Hospital, accepted a cheque for £1,500, and St Nicholas Hospice Care in Bury St Edmunds and St Helena Hospice in Colchester each received £1,500.
The festival also awarded £1,500 to Mellish House care home in Sudbury, which provides residential care for residents living with dementia. The care home plans to spend the money on an interactive Tovertafel games table for the home.
The Kernos Centre in Sudbury was awarded £1,000, which is being put towards funding therapeutic creative and play equipment for children and young people.
Chris Boatwright, clinical director, said: “The Bures Music Festival grant will make a huge difference to the Kernos Centre.
“It will enable us to buy much needed play and creative therapy equipment. So many children and young people find that using such equipment makes it easier to express themselves and communicate at their own level.”
Other recipients included Bures Baptist Church, First Bures Scout Group, Noah’s Ark Nursery Group, Bures Common Ground trustees, Bures Christmas lights, the community centre, Bures Football Club and the Macmillan coffee morning.
Peter Harries, committee chairman of the festival, said: “These amazing organisations and the work they do are the reasons we all give our time freely to organise the festival.
“To see our grants put to such great use is an honour and reminds us how fortunate we all are.”
Next year’s Bures Music Festival will take place from July 4-8.
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