Emergency cash giveaway for Sussex groups

An emergency fund set up by family brewers Hall and Woodhouse to help good causes across Sussex has allocated its first £5,000 of help.
Lucinda Gray, Anthony Woodhouse, Mark Woodhouse SUS-200304-133415001Lucinda Gray, Anthony Woodhouse, Mark Woodhouse SUS-200304-133415001
Lucinda Gray, Anthony Woodhouse, Mark Woodhouse SUS-200304-133415001

And today it invited any other Sussex organisations in urgent need of support during the coronavirus crisis to make an application.

Every year, the company gives tens of thousands of pounds to voluntary organisations through its Community Chest.

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The grants are normally made in early autumn following a call for applications through this newspaper - which is its long-standing media partner - and an exacting assessment process.

But this year, given the urgent need, the family-owned business which has pubs across Sussex as well as the famous Badger beer brand has stepped in early.

On Wednesday, the assessment panel which includes family directors Lucinda Gray and Mark Woodhouse, John Scudder landlord of The Plough at Ifield, and Gary Shipton editor of this newspaper, met by virtual conferencing to assess the initial requests.

Money was given to the Apuldram Centre near Chichester which supports adults with learning difficulties, Off The Fence which helps homeless and vulnerable women, and UK Harvest which redistributes quality surplus food.

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Lucinda said: "The Community Chest has always been proud to help those organisations that make a real difference to the lives of local people. We will be holding our annual awards later this year but wanted to step in early with emergency cash for those that really need it now to continue their vital work."

Mark commented: “It’s great to be able to help these great organisations that are in turn helping so many people in need during this very trying time."

Any charitable or voluntary organisation in Sussex that would like to make an application for help should e-mail [email protected] by the closing date of April 30, 2020.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

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With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.

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