At Best of Suffolk, we are committed to supporting communities through fundraising for charities, sponsorship of events, and promotion of initiatives.
It all started in 2013 when we launched the Best of Suffolk Charity Fund. In that first year, we raised £3,000 donating it to a local food bank charity, helping them to support families in crisis across Suffolk.
We’ve not stopped raising funds for local good causes ever since. You can help contribute to our charity fund by donating £1 when you book your holiday online or on the phone. Even better, we’ll match-fund it! For every £1 you donate, we’ll donate £1 too.
Take a look at what we’ve been up to so far to raise funds for charity. If you have any suggestions of events which might help us to raise even more funds, please do get in touch!
Here are just a few of the local charities, trusts, and organisations we have helped over the years;
The Alde and Ore Estuary Trust
The Alde and Ore Estuary Trust exists to raise and steward the charitable funds required to upgrade the river walls of the Alde and Ore Estuary.
How do Best of Suffolk help?
We have provided sponsorship support of numerous fundraising events, which have each in turn have collectively raised much-needed funds for this Suffolk charity.
The Aldeburgh to Orford Flotilla
The inaugural flotilla event took place in July 2019, with over 100 participants taking part in the 5-mile swim to raise funds for the Trusts ‘Save Our Suffolk Estuary’. Best of Suffolk was delighted to have our beloved Morris proudly on the swimming caps we provided and were used by all participants who enjoyed a swim down the river from Aldeburgh to Orford.
Save Our Suffolk Estuary Pub Quiz
Along with the flotilla, Best of Suffolk has also sponsored the Save Our Suffolk Estuary Pub Quiz, which is held across 14 different venues from Thorpeness to Orford! For this particular quiz, the winning venue was The Plough and Sail at Snape and the winning team were ‘Up The Alde Without An Ore’ (what a great play on words!). This event alone helped to raise £44,000!
Aldeburgh Charity Golf Day
As proud sponsors of the 10th tee for the Aldeburgh Charity Golf Day, Best of Suffolk knows this fundraising charity event for the Alde and Orr Estuary Trust will help to raise much-needed funds. Our beloved seagull Morris is already dressed for the occasion!
VIEW THE ALDE & ORE TRUST WEBSITE
ALDEBURGH CINEMA
Aldeburgh Cinema is a charity and has been at the heart of the community for over 100 years old. The cinema shows many films throughout the year and attracts lots of people to the town of Aldeburgh, as a result of this the economy of Aldeburgh benefits from the community-run cinema.
How do Best of Suffolk help?
Best of Suffolk supported the centenary event ‘Cinema on the Beach’. The cinema provides such a strong sense of community in Aldeburgh, which we very much support and encourage. Unfortunately, despite being August, the airing of ‘The Greatest Showman’ was moved inside because of the British weather! Nevertheless, a good time was had by all, and much-needed funds were raised for the charity.
VIEW THE ALDEBURGH CINEMA WEBSITE
ALDEBURGH TRIATHLON
The annual Aldeburgh Triathlon raises funds for the RNLI and the East Anglian Air Ambulance. So far over £9,000 has been raised by the event through race entrance fees and sponsorship.
How do Best of Suffolk help?
Over the years, Best of Suffolk has supported this charity event through sponsorship of the medals, the finish line, and the ribbons as well as entering a team in the race. Lots of fun is always had by all, as well as vital funds raised. It’s an honour to be part of this event at the heart of the Aldeburgh community.
VIEW THE ALDEBURGH TRIATHLON WEBSITE
ART FOR CURE
Art For Cure is a registered national charity that raises funds for breast cancer research. The money raised is channeled into national research projects and to valuable breast cancer services in Suffolk that work alongside our amazing NHS breast care teams. Successfully raising over £830,000 through exhibitions at the glorious and stately Glemham Hall and Somerleyton Hall in Suffolk, and Peter Pears Gallery in Aldeburgh.
How do Best of Suffolk help?
Best of Suffolk has sponsored various elements of this fundraising event over the years, including the children’s activity tent and the refreshment tent! We’re delighted to be able to help raise further funds for such a worthwhile local charity.
CANCER CAMPAIGN IN SUFFOLK
Set up in 1998, Cancer Campaign in Suffolk is run with a passion to help the Suffolk community, focused on life before, during, and after cancer. Their dedicated team includes complementary therapists, counsellors, educators, ambassadors, and business brains that come together to educate and support the people of Suffolk.
How do Best of Suffolk Support?
Every November, when other businesses are running ‘Black Friday’ deals, Best of Suffolk run ‘Pink Friday’. For every booking made on that day, we donate £10 to Cancer Campaign in Suffolk. We also like to think pink, and dress in pink too!
VIEW THE CANCER CAMPAIGN IN SUFFOLK WEBSITE
EAST ANGLIAN AIR AMBULANCE
The EAAA exists to save lives by delivering highly skilled doctors and critical care paramedics by air or car to seriously ill people. They receive no regular government funding and rely on the community to keep their two helicopters flying and saving lives.
How do Best of Suffolk help?
As well as sponsoring the East Anglian Air Ambulance Fundraising Ball, we also donated a prize of a superb holiday in a Best of Suffolk holiday cottage for the charity auction on the night.
VIEW THE EAST ANGLIAN AIR AMBULANCE WEBSITE
SUFFOLK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Suffolk Community Foundation thrives to connect local people who care passionately about Suffolk. As an independent grant-maker, they support local charities that are tackling disadvantages and helping wherever possible. Over the past year, Suffolk has helped us to award 884 grants worth an incredible £4.92m.
How do Best of Suffolk help?
Best of Suffolk are proud sponsors of ‘Best in Show’ at Suffolk Dog Day, organised by Suffolk Community Foundation. Over 9,000 people attend the event each year and it is an incredibly successful fundraising event.