Hall & Woodhouse has received just under 300 applications across the south for its annual Community Chest, with 133 submitted by Dorset-based charities and community organisations.

Applications for this year’s Community Chest closed on 1^st July and are currently being reviewed by the judging panel. Successful applicants will receive a grant from a £50,000 annual fund which has been pledged by Hall & Woodhouse.

All applications must show a need for their project in the local community, as well as evidencing their own efforts to raise the required funds, and the potential difference a contribution from Hall & Woodhouse would make.

Donations made to the successful charities and community causes range from £300 to £3,000 and will be issued during two awards evenings in January 2023. Since the Chest’s conception in 2002, more than £715,000 has been donated to over 860 causes across the South of England.

Mark Woodhouse, Family Director at Hall & Woodhouse, said: “The Community Chest was founded over 20 years ago to provide help for local voluntary organisations from across our trading area. Our pubs are an integral part of the local community and it’s only right that we continue to give back to them as a thank you for their ongoing support.

“After a difficult few years, with all of us facing additional financial pressures, we are proud to be able to continue to help organisations that do so much good, locally.”

Successful causes will be made aware of their selection by the end of November 2022 by the judging panel, which is led by Hall & Woodhouse’s Family Director, Mark Woodhouse.