Sixteen community organisations share in £21,000 windfall

The money was raised by staff and partners at the leading regional firm of chartered accountants and financial planners.

A wide range of charities, voluntary groups and community organisations across the two counties have received grants ranging from £300 to £2,000 to help deliver a variety of community activities.

The recipients of the grants were chosen by a panel of Lovewell Blake staff, assisted by the Norfolk and Suffolk Community Foundations, which administer the Lovewell Blake Community Fund.

The organisations receiving grants were:

Norfolk

Attleborough Players, which received £2,000 to purchase sound equipment for use in their productions
St George’s Colegate PCC, which received £2,000 to improve the church's kitchen for use at community events
Saham Toney Garden Allotment Association, which received £2,000 to purchase a sit-on mower
Transforming Local Communities CIC, which received £1,600 to purchase equipment that will support litter picking events in Drayton, Taverham and Mile Cross
2^nd Reepham Scout Group, which received £1,031 to purchase a range of equipment for use across scout, cub and beaver sections
Bike Active Norfolk, which received £1,000 to help set up a disability cycling group for children, including the purchase of specialist equipment
OUTPOST Horsford Youth, which received £1,000 to contribute to annual rental, activity and equipment costs
The Shed Wymondham, which received £810 to purchase folding tables, a laser printer and a bike rack
2^nd and 7^th Norwich Brownie Pack, which received £714 to provide racking and boxes to help with storage of equipment and materials
1^st Watlington and Runcton Holme Guides, which received £685 to purchase sleepover equipment
1^st Wroxham Guides, which received £600 to purchase equipment for activities, and to deliver a yoga session for the Guide Unit

Suffolk

AFC Cedars in Stowmarket, which received £2,000 to purchase a team training kit
Bucklesham and Foxhall Community Council, which received £2,000 to provide an accessible roundabout for the pay area in the village
Woodbridge Cricket Club, which received £2,000 towards the purchase of a bowling machine
Beccles Amateur Sailing Club, which received £1,000 to upgrade boats
1^st Deben Valley Scout Group, which received £300 to purchase camp cooking facilities

“We are delighted to be able to support such a variety of fabulous organisations which are doing such great work in our communities,” said Tracy Cox, chair of Lovewell Blake’s fundraising committee. “These groups are what bind our communities together, and they are the inspiration for our staff and partners to undertake fundraising activities throughout the year.
“This year we have given nearly £21,000 to organisations in Norfolk and Suffolk thanks to the efforts of our staff and partners, and to everyone who supported our fundraising efforts during the year.
“We are very proud that we are able to continue to support a range of brilliant community groups 15 years after we first set up the LB150 Fund (as the Lovewell Blake Community Fund was initially called).”

The Lovewell Blake Community Fund was originally set up in 2008 as part of the firm’s 150th anniversary celebrations, with the aim of raising £150,000 for local charities and community groups in five years. Once the target was achieved, the firm decided to continue the fund.