Donors give Norwood £2.1m boost in Jewish charity’s 36-hour annual fundraiser

A gargantuan 36-hour fundraising appeal for Norwood resulted in a much-needed £2.1m financial injection for the UK’s oldest Jewish charity this week.

The appeal video highlighted how one in every four members of the Jewish community felt that they or a close family member would end up needing the charity’s vital support services at some point.

This year’s fundraising campaign was a break from the norm, with the charity choosing to eschew its annual dinner – typically held in opulent surrounds, such as at the Guildhall – amid the current cost-of-living crisis.

“In recent years, not only has the need for Norwood grown, but the way in which individuals across our community depend on us has also changed,” said Norwood chair Neville Kahn.

“That’s why we continue to adapt to meet those needs, so we can continue to be a safety net for people with learning disabilities and autism and children and their families in crisis.”

On the £2.1m, he said he was “gratified and humbled by the response”, adding: “We exist to serve the community’s needs, but when we needed our community, they supported us to reach our fundraising target in very challenging times.”

Norwood supports 2,500 people in 56 local authorities across 40 schools, offering residential and supported-living accommodation, short-breaks facilities, plus occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and psychotherapy. Its costs are around £32m a year, of which £12m must come from voluntary donations.