Two Suffolk charities have received a £500 cash windfall after being voted as the most worthy recipients by customers in Norwich & Peterborough (N&P) and Yorkshire Building Society’s Charity Choices campaigns.

The Ipswich Hospital and The Debenham Project each took first place, securing the causes £500 each.

At the N&P branch, Suffolk Carers came in second place to win £300 and Victim Support came third to collect £200 after the two-week-long public vote, where shoppers were asked to decide who they wanted to receive the biggest share of £1,000.

At the Yorkshire branch, SERV Suffolk & Cambridgeshire came in second place and Suffolk MS Therapy Centre came third.

Sandy Moody, manager of the Ipswich N&P branch, said: “We had a brilliant response to the campaign from our members, local shoppers and residents, but of course the real winners here are the charities – all of whom do a fantastic job of providing invaluable support in our local community.

Matthew Phillips, manager of the Yorkshire’s Ipswich branch, added: “Because each and every vote helped secure pounds for the charities it felt right that the decision of splitting the money was put in the hands of our members and local people. I can’t thank everyone enough for coming in to our branch during the voting period to make their vote count – I’m sure the money will make a real difference locally.”