Three community schemes have received donations totalling £20,000

Donations boost community schemes

May Gurney has made donations totalling £20,000 to three community projects in Attleborough.

The donations are a 'thank you' to the local community for its support and patience while work was carried out to dual and upgrade the A11 Attleborough bypass for the Highways Agency.

The Friends of Great Ellingham School received £6,000 and the Attleborough First Responders and Attleborough Overboard Youth Project were each given £7,000.

Attleborough First Responders will use the money to purchase at least one new full set of first aid equipment. This will allow the team to respond around the clock to emergencies received by the NHS Ambulance Service, whereas currently the volunteer group can only generally respond during weekends and evenings. They also plan to purchase more sophisticated training equipment to increase the team's capabilities.

Attleborough Overboard Youth Project raises funds and provides facilities for the town's young people. The group plans to either put the money towards a ball park or purchase a 'ball wall' with goalposts and a basketball hoop. The group also hopes that May Gurney's contribution will be matched by Breckland District Council.

Great Ellingham County Primary School will use the money to construct a trim trail on the school playing field, which will comprise a number of fun obstacles.

Alice Goodrum of the Friends of Great Ellingham School said: "We have been fundraising for some time trying to reach the £6,000 target needed to construct the trim trail.

"This donation has enabled us to fund the trail in its entirety and bring forward its construction to this autumn. By adding this sum to the funds already raised, we can also now make the trail suitable for use all year round."

Ian Findlater (pictured), Group Business Development Director, said: "The work we carried out on the A11 went very smoothly and was completed ahead of schedule.

"All work of this kind inevitably causes disruption to those who regularly use the road, and particularly to the surrounding community.

"It is a pleasure to say thank you for the understanding demonstrated by local people and to be able to make a real difference to these schemes, which in turn will make a difference to Attleborough."

The newly dualled bypass opened in February this year and has won a string of awards and recognitions - click here for further information.