Charities can often be the first port of call for people in their hour of need - now we are giving you the chance to return the favour!

This newspaper is launching its Cash For Charities campaign in a bid to support some of our most stretched services in Norfolk, Waveney, and north Suffolk.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: The new campaign Cash for Charities logo - have you registered your charity yet?The new campaign Cash for Charities logo - have you registered your charity yet? (Image: Archant)

In Norfolk alone, charities are estimated to have lost £120m during the Covid pandemic, putting the squeeze on the county's most vulnerable people.

And now, at a time when so many good causes are being massively hit by the pandemic, we are asking you to show your support and to do your bit.

We have £20,000 to give away to local charities and we need your help deciding where that money should go to.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Norwich Evening News and EDP editor David PowlesNorwich Evening News and EDP editor David Powles (Image: Copyright Archant Norfolk 2016)

David Powles, Eastern Daily Press and Evening News editor, said: "Charities do incredible work in our region to help so many people in amazing ways.

"It's been a really tough year for them and Cash For Charities is our way of encouraging readers to support good causes which are special to them.

"So please get involved and start collecting the tokens to help support your favourite charity."

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Wymondham Dementia Support Group has signed up for Cash for CharitiesWymondham Dementia Support Group has signed up for Cash for Charities (Image: Archant)

The campaign works by readers collecting tokens and putting them towards a local charity that has signed up in advance to be part of the initiative.

Charities must have a registered charity number.

So far, more than 30 different organisations have signed up to be part of Cash For Charities.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: The Sing Your Heart Out volunteer-run group has signed up for Cash for CharitiesThe Sing Your Heart Out volunteer-run group has signed up for Cash for Charities (Image: Archant)

The first tokens for readers to collect will be appearing in the paper from Monday, April 26. These will then be collected, counted up, and the money will be shared proportionately to how many have been used for each of the different charities.

How to win a share of £20,000 for your favourite charity

All you need to do is collect the tokens printed in the participating papers from April 26 to July 3.

There is no minimum token amount required to enter, as everyone will win a portion of the money. The tokens will run in the paper for 10 weeks.

All local charities, big or small, can take part. The only criteria are that you are a registered charity and have a registered charity number.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: The Wymondham Dementia Support Group has signed up for Cash for CharitiesThe Wymondham Dementia Support Group has signed up for Cash for Charities (Image: Archant)

If you would like to take part in this promotion, please fill out the Wufoo form with the required information and return it to us before April 22. Within the Wufoo form, we are asking charities to tell us what they are collecting for.

Please email charities@archant.co.uk with any questions.

Which charities have signed up so far?

Norwich Marchesi Rotary Benevolent Account
Asperger East Anglia
1st Attleborough (St Mary's) Scout Group
Great Ryburgh Playing Field
Norfolk SEN Network
Wymondham Dementia Support Group
First Focus

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: First Focus in Fakenham has signed up for Cash for CharitiesFirst Focus in Fakenham has signed up for Cash for Charities (Image: © Archant Norfolk 2012)

Wymondham and Attleborough Talking Newspaper
1st Snettisham Scout Group
Charles Burrell Centre
Friends of Clinks Care Farm
Astro Brain Tumour Fund
All Saints Threxton
Norfolk Family Carers
1st Wymondham ScoutGroup
Sing Your Heart Out
YMCA Norfolk
The Woolverstone Project
St Gregory's Church Sudbury (Bells)
Oasis English Language School
Disability Advice Service (East Suffolk)
The Long Shop Museum
East Coast Sail Trust
Warren Association Trust
Southwold Sailors Reading Room
Ipswich Opportunity Group
Lower Somersham Village Hall
Sudbury Newstalk
Stonham Aspal Village Hall
Parham Airfield Museum
Mistley and Manningtree Welcome Home Trust

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: The Wymondham and Attleborough Talking Newspaper has signed up for Cash for CharitiesThe Wymondham and Attleborough Talking Newspaper has signed up for Cash for Charities (Image: Archant)