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Porkstock raises more than £10,000 for Nelson’s Journey

Andrew Stone

Published: 9:34 AM November 22, 2017 Updated: 11:20 AM October 10, 2020

A cheque of more than £10,000 was handed to charity Nelson's Journey following Porkstock 2017. Picture: Courtesy Plain Speaking Agency - Credit: Archant

A charity received a £10,000 boost from the team of volunteers behind a food, drink and music festival that celebrates the best of Norfolk produce.

Thounsands of people attended the 2017 Porkstock event at the Royal Norfolk Showground. Visitors enjoying the event. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

This was the second year that all profits from the annual Porkstock event have been donated to Norfolk charity Nelson's Journey, which supports bereaved children and their families.

Porkstock 2017 took place at the Norfolk Showground on October 14 and the final amount donated was £10,173.

The event was started by a team of foodie-friends – James Ellis and Tom Ellis of the Original Cottage Company and Ben Handford of Naked Marketing - and 2017 was its fourth year as a public event.

Mr Handford said: 'Moving to a bigger venue has meant our operating costs have increased this year, but despite that we've exceeded the amount we've been able to donate to Nelson's Journey.

Thounsands of people attended the 2017 Porkstock event at the Royal Norfolk Showground. Kate Barmby demonstrates her cookery skills. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

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'This is largely due to the financial support of our sponsors, who enable us to deliver a professional and fun event whilst raising money for a fabulous cause.

'We'd like to say a massive thank you to our key sponsors.'

Simon Wright, chief executive of Nelson's Journey, said the charity had seen 'a huge growth' in demand for its services in the last year.

He added: 'The £10,000 raised last year contributed to the salary of a support worker over a six-month period, allowing us to support an even greater number of bereaved children in Norfolk.

Thounsands of people attended the 2017 Porkstock event at the Royal Norfolk Showground. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

'Porkstock's continued support means that we can continue to work to bring back smiles to children who've lost a special person in their lives.'

During the day around 5,000 people attended the event, which was a celebration of food, drink and family fun.

Visitors were able to taste a variety of local produce from chutneys and cheese to gin and ginger beer.

The Charlies Norfolk Food Heroes Cookery Demo Stage, sponsored by Kettle Foods, was again a favourite with guests with a line up including Charlie Hodson, Porkstock patron, Great British Bake Off favourite Kate Barmby and broadcaster and restaurateur Hardeep Singh Kohli.