Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney is celebrating after being awarded £5,000 worth of funding from The Screwfix Foundation, a charity which supports projects to fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and facilities for those in need.

The funding will be used to upgrade a former primary school building on the Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney site with the roof being replaced, double glazing added, and an upgraded heating system and insulation. This will enable Emmaus to provide accommodation for another seven people, meaning even more formerly homeless people can be helped.

“We are very grateful to The Screwfix Foundation for donating the much-needed funds to support our charity. We provide a home for as long as needed to 23 people who have experienced homelessness while giving them the opportunity to gain new skills in our social enterprise, so they can rebuild their confidence, self-esteem and dignity. We’d like to thank everyone who was involved with the fundraising – it’s been a great help to us.”

Cecile Roberts, CEO from Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney, said:

The Screwfix Foundation, which launched in April 2013 donates much needed funding to help a variety of local projects throughout the UK, from repairing buildings and improving community facilities, to improving the homes of people living with sickness or disability.

Tim Mason, Store Manager of the Diss Screwfix store, said:

“We’re really pleased that one of our local charities has been awarded funding by The Screwfix Foundation. Staff from across the business have held a variety of fundraising events to raise vital funds for The Screwfix Foundation, so it’s fantastic to see the money we have raised being invested back into such a worthwhile community project.”

Relevant projects from across Norfolk are invited to apply online for a share of the funding at screwfixfoundation.com.