Notts folk give £4m to charity despite tough times

GENEROUS Notts people have raised more than £4 million for charity this year, despite the economic downturn.

People have dug deep into their pockets to provide a lifeline for worthwhile causes.

Time for celebration: Jan Stepanian, centre, county welfare officer at the Royal British Legion, with Janet Baker, left, the County Poppy Appeal Co-Ordinator for Nottinghamshire's Royal British Legion, and Sue Rideout, right, manager at Mapperley Nottinghamshire Royal Society for the Blind.

It has come at a time when many cash-strapped charities are suffering from Government cutbacks.

Among the main benefactors were Cancer Research UK, which pocketed more than £1.3 million, and the Royal British Legion, which received more than £549,000 – one of its best ever years.

The Notts Royal Society for the Blind also benefited, receiving £170,000.

Fundraising manager Lydia Bishop said: "We know that it's been a difficult year for everybody, so the fact that people are still giving is incredible. We'd like to give a huge thank you to everybody who have supported us this year."

Meanwhile the Notts and Lincolnshire Air Ambulance was given more than £400,000.

Jim Vickrage, Nottingham office manager for the air ambulance charity, said: "Without this money and the generosity of people in Nottingham we wouldn't have been able to provide the service we do."

Paul Mulingani, charity manager for the Notts branch of the Royal British Legion, said: "It shows how much they are appreciated by the public, and that is great to see."

Much of the money has come in through planned events such as Cancer Research UK's Race for Life and Framework's Big Sleep Out at the Capital FM Arena.

Karnival, the University of Nottingham Students' Union's charitable organisation, also raised more than £1.3 million through various events, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and trekking along the Great Wall of China.

Meanwhile, other cash has come in the form of donations ranging from £10 to more than £10,000.

This year also saw the £3 million Maggie's cancer support centre open in the grounds of the City Hospital, after Post readers donated £640,000 over four years.

Homeless charity Framework has had a tough year with cuts to its funding, but head of fundraising Chris Senior said: "In 2011 the public has responded with great generosity and we have seen some absolutely tremendous fundraising efforts by our supporters. We are most grateful for their continued support."