Water firm's Community Chest spills its gold in East and West Sussex

The Fund, which is released annually, was split between 10 groups across the south east decided on by a panel of five employees from right across the business.

This year there were 189 applications - the most the company has ever received.

Among the Sussex applications to receive a £2,000 boost each were:

• Balcombe Primary School, West Sussex to establish a new weather station and improvements to the school pond
• Eastbourne Community First Responders, East Sussex to buy two public access defibrillator cabinets and batteries
• Peacehaven Community Orchard, East Sussex to install a rainwater harvesting system

Tanya Sephton, Customer Services Director, South East Water said: ““This year the Community Chest saw a massive 491 per cent increase in applications, giving the judging panel difficult decisions to make.

“But after careful thought and discussion they went on to choose a number of projects covering a wide range of good causes that needed a little extra financial help to make a difference.”

To view the full list of this year’s winners, visit www.southeastwater.co.uk/communitychest