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Regional daily launches new mental health fund

A regional daily is launching a new fund as part of its campaign to get better mental health services on its patch.

The Eastern Daily Press is calling on readers to help contribute to the £500,000 fund, from which community groups and charities can apply for support to run much-needed services and activities.

The fund was launched with the Norfolk Community Foundation and announced on yesterday’s front page, pictured below, almost six months after the EDP launched its Mental Health Watch campaign.

The foundation, which works with hundreds of local charities and voluntary groups, has pledged to match every £2 donated with an extra £1 and has already secured £140,000.

EDP fund

Editor Nigel Pickover said: “We are delighted to play our part in this project. During our Mental Health Watch campaign we have put the spotlight on many areas where there simply aren’t enough services and initiatives available for mentally ill people.

“With this fund it will be possible to improve the lives of those affected by mental health conditions, and the EDP urges businesses and members of the public to get involved in the fundraising.”

The fund will be officially launched at the foundation’s Love Norfolk event on April 20, after which more details will be revealed as to how to apply.

It will only be open for applications from groups within the voluntary and community sector, and not for NHS organisations.

Graham Tuttle, chief executive at the foundation, said: “There has been a great deal of press coverage both locally and nationally highlighting the strain that organisations who work in the mental health arena face, with an ever-increasing demand for their services against the funding challenges they are presented with.

“As a charity that links donors to need across Norfolk, we felt that we are well positioned to help to play a role in enabling positive change and we hope that by introducing a funding match challenge we can encourage local people to get involved and make a difference.”

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  • April 8, 2016 at 6:11 am
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    Unfortunate headline and photo placement there

    Left hands and right hands

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