One hundred community groups are celebrating winning a share in more than £43,000 from our Community Chest fund.

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There has been an unprecedented cry for help from local groups and in response our campaign, in association with the Norfolk Community Foundation, has given out nearly half of the year's cash at once. Graham Tuttle, of the Norfolk Community Foundation, said: 'To have 100 charities benefiting from this first award is both encouraging and humbling.'

Nigel Pickover, editor-in-chief of the EDP, said: 'We are humbled by the huge need in our communities and charities for extra help, so we decided to extend our original pot of £15,000 to more than £40,000.'

Our judges were stunned by the number of applicants and decided they needed to help as many groups as possible across the region – as soon as possible.

Spending nearly half of the entire year's £100,000 cash, instead of the initially-agreed £15,000, the judges said it was a vital decision to offer a helping hand.

Thanks to the Community Chest campaign, in association with the Norfolk Community Foundation, organisations can kickstart the transformation of their groups.

More than 200 applied in January, collectively seeking £270,000.

Graham Tuttle, chief executive of the Norfolk Community Foundation and one of the judges, said: 'There is no doubt this fund has created unprecedented interest in local communities across Norfolk and has mobilised these communities to work together to obtain the tokens required to submit their applications. To have 100 charities benefiting from this first award is both encouraging and humbling.'

The beneficiaries are listed here, and those which were unsuccessful will receive a 50-token ticket to begin their next submission.

Applicants are welcome to apply every month.

Mr Tuttle added: 'The volume of interest does, however, show the state of the third sector and the challenges charities face in continuing to deliver services that are so vital in Norfolk.'

• DONATIONS WILL HELP US TO HELP EVEN MORE PEOPLE IN NEED

We planned to give away £15,000 in January, but with so many local groups crying out for help, our judges dedicated nearly half of the year's budget.

Now, we are looking for local organisations and businesses to donate cash to the Community Chest fund so we can continue to help those striving to improve their area.

From football clubs to dementia support groups and parish councils – there are so many worthy causes needing a helping hand.

If you think you could make a difference, or would like to find out more information about getting involved, email Nigel Pickover at nigel.pickover@archant.co.uk or Graham Tuttle at grahamtuttle@norfolkfoundation.co.uk

• YOU CAN STILL ENTER THE COMMUNITY CHEST CAMPAIGN

There is still plenty of time to get your share of the prize pot.

Our Community Chest campaign is running throughout 2016.

Every month we will be giving away cash grants to non-profit groups in the region.

To enter, all you need to do is snip and save 500 tokens in the same month.

They are printed on the back page of every EDP. On weekdays there will be one token, on Saturdays there will be five tokens and throughout the month there will be surprise bonus tokens.

When you have collected 500 tokens, fill in a short application form and submit it to your local EDP office, our headquarters in Prospect House or the Norfolk Community Foundation.

Find the application form and more information at www.edp24.co.uk/communitychest