More people in north east Suffolk and south Norfolk will now be able to access specialist help to come to terms with bereavement or the diagnosis of a life-limiting illnesses after the Pear Tree Fund was awarded more than £15,000 in grants.
A total of £4,000 has been gifted by The Geoffrey Watling Charity, with a further £11,054 awarded by Suffolk Community Foundation through its ‘reviving our communities’ fund. Just over £10,000 will be used to fund counselling, including support for people who have lost close friends and family as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, with the remainder spent on head office costs.
Pear Tree Fund trustee Frances Lloyd, who secured the grants, said: “We would like to pass on our sincere thanks to The Geoffrey Watling Charity and Suffolk Community Foundation for supporting our charity. Their generosity will make a real difference to local people when they are at their most vulnerable.
“When people experience ill health or lose a loved one, it can have a huge impact on both them and those close to them. Our counselling service helps individuals, couples and families to manage the feelings associated with coping with illness or bereavement, such as worry, sadness, uncertainty and fear.
“These grants will also enable us to continue offering counselling more widely to support those who have lost close friends and family as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, or have themselves been left with a life-limiting condition after suffering with COVID-19.”
The Geoffrey Watling Charity was set up in 1993 and distributes grants to organisations throughout Norfolk and Waveney.
Alan Watling, who is a trustee of The Geoffrey Watling Charity, said: “The Geoffrey Watling Charity is very pleased that it is able to help the Pear Tree Fund, particularly during these difficult and unpredictable times.”
Andrea Pittock, head of grant programmes with Suffolk Community Foundation, said: “‘As we slowly begin to emerge from lockdown the work this team deliver will be more vital than ever as we seek to rebuild local lives.”
Anyone who feels they could benefit from a referral to the counselling service should contact Seva Newrick, centre manager, on 01986 899655.