East Brighton Trust held a party at The Bevy pub on Friday 10^th March to celebrate giving half a million pounds in grants to good causes, reached after almost a decade of work in the area. The event was the perfect opportunity to showcase a number of projects we have funded over the years.

The Mayor of Brighton & Hove Councillor Pete West joined Trust directors and staff to meet groups who have benefitted from our grants. Everyone was treated to food from The Bevy kitchen and community chef as well as performances from local dance groups Tantrum and the Moulsecoomb Treasures, and a headline turn from participants in the Youth Poets vs MCs vs Comedians programme. 

 

Party guests enjoyed dressing up and having their photos taken in the Gladrags community costume photobooth, and had the chance to find out about some of the organisations working in the East Brighton area. These included the Resource Centre, The Bridge Community Education Centre, The Green Centre, The Brighton & Hove Youth Collective, the BACA Bike Club and The Woolly Umbrella - projects that we have regularly funded over the years.  

To mark the special occasion, East Brighton Trust directors enjoyed a fish and chip lunch earlier in the day with the Friday Friends - the seniors' lunch club held weekly at The Bevy. 

Plus BACA Digital Media students were on hand during the day too - filming volunteers, staff and pub regulars to make a series of short films which we're looking forward to seeing soon. 

 

It was a busy, fun-filled day, with lots of laughter, chatting and merriment. We all enjoyed getting to meet so many of the people who have received grants from us in the past, and hearing about the difference they have made to people and communities. 

The Mayor said on his Facebook page “There was a lot of wonderful entertainment and activities laid on for the evening, which was all great fun and also gave a taster of what the money and moreover the hard work and commitment of people in East Brighton has helped achieve.”

And East Brighton Trust director Sean Hambrook said “Our party to celebrate giving £500,000 in grants was an absolute joy! The young, and not quite so young people from projects we've funded all enjoyed a fantastic evening and put on a superb show for everyone at The Bevy to enjoy! From Poets vs MC's to breakdancers everyone had a wonderful evening!"

Head over to our facebook page to see photos of the event, tag yourselves and each other and please do send us any more photos you'd like us to upload. 

Thank you so much to everyone who helped make the party such a success - whether you attended, took part, helped us plan it or sent well wishes. However you were involved - we couldn't have done it without you and without all the fantastic organisations that we are very lucky to have funded over the past few years. And as Sean said when he raised a toast on the evening - here's to reaching £1 million!