A CHARITY set up by the Adnams brewery in Southwold gave more than �60,000 to local causes last year, and received a record number of grant applications.

A CHARITY set up by the Adnams brewery in Southwold gave more than �60,000 to local causes last year, and received a record number of grant applications.

In 2008-2009 The Adnams Charity awarded grants totalling �61,227 to 55 causes, including �2,500 towards a counselling service at Kirkley High School and �2,000 towards a new boatshed for Waveney Sailability, who provide sailing opportunities for disabled people.

Youth groups, schools, arts projects, conservation centres, support groups and community care services all benefitted from small grants.

The charity was set up in 1990 to mark the company's centenary and gives grants to causes within 25 miles of Southwold.

Jonathan Adnams, chairman of the trust, said: 'The Adnams Charity remains an integral part of Adnams' work within the local community.

'We are immensely proud of the difference that the charity makes, in particular to those small organisations that often find it difficult to get funding from other sources.'

Grants were also given to Halesworth Middle School, Waveney First Responders, Diss and District Riding for the Disabled Group, Asthma Relief and the Bungay Youth Association.

Mr Adnams added: 'In these difficult financial times donations from our stakeholders have been particularly important to the continuation of the much-needed work of the charity and I should like to thank all of you who mandate your dividends to the Adnams Charity or contribute in some other way.'

To donate, email contact@adnams.co.uk or visit www.justgiving.com/adnamscharity. To apply for a grant, call 01502 727000 or email the previous address.