Community party raises more than £10,000 for innovative hospital project

A community came together to celebrate the pioneering purchase of their town's former hospital.

The special event was hosted by SouthGen, the community group whose tireless planning and fundraising allowed a deal for the acquisition of the old Southwold and District Hospital to be completed.

There was also cause for celebration due to the group being awarded a £10,000 grant to kick-start their prospective community shares initiative.

Having been spruced up and decorated, the hospital - disused since 2015 - made the perfect party venue and there was an auction as part of the ongoing fundraising campaign.

'We decided it would be nice to tidy the place up and hold a huge celebration in the old hospital,' said SouthGen chairman, Jessica Jeans. 'All in all, the auction raised more than £11,000 and we even had a special beer brewed by Adnams.'

In partnership with Hastoe Housing, the site will be developed into housing units and a community hub containing a cafe, library, business centre and crèche.