Armed forces veterans going through “their darkest times” were among beneficiaries as an advice firm run by a Chartered Financial Planner sought to hail ‘unsung heroes’ with cash awards to 12 charities.

Awards of up to £2,000 were given out to good causes at Norwich-based advisers Almary Green’s annual charity awards.

The organisations that benefited came from nearby Norfolk and Suffolk and those supporting children and young people were heavily featured.

Norwich charity Stand Easy was handed £1,000 to help veterans and serving members of HM Forces suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and related non-visible injuries.

Angus Howell, of Stand Easy, said: “We are extremely grateful to Almary Green for this award, which will enable us to continue helping veterans. More than that, we know that the award is exceedingly meaningful to the veterans themselves, knowing that you care enough about them to fund this help in their darkest times.

“As Stand Easy is growing and becoming more well known, trusted and respected as a centre for our successful, specific, tailor made treatment in addressing trauma in veterans suffering with PTSD, we are finding that referrals and requests for our help is widening.

“Often veterans are at such a low ebb that finances are difficult for them. This award will allow us to continue to expand and fund travel expenses for those veterans who are travelling from further afield.”

Almary Green’s managing director Carl Lamb said: “I am always surprised at the range of good work that is being done by volunteers throughout the region.

“There are thousands of unsung heroes out there doing amazing things to improve the lives of those around them. Our charity awards aim to help just a few of these people deliver the help and support that is needed.”

Cheques were handed to the following organisations:

- Nelsonspirit: £2,000 to Nelsonspirit to support its Future Leaders project which targets young people with leadership potential from Norfolk. The successful Future Leaders who will benefit from the scheme will be selected from sixth forms from around the county:

- Norwich & District Diabetes Youth Group: received £600 to provide a Christmas party for families supported by the group.

- 1st Attleborough Scout Group: given an award of £900 for the replacement of climbing and archery equipment

- Nelson’s Journey: the charity that provides support for children who have experienced the death of a significant person in their life – received an award of £1,800 to fund a project from their youth panel to produce bereavement support boxes and mindfulness sheets. Youth Panel members Keelan Meredith Jenkins and Jennifer Cox-Kersley accepted the award on behalf of the charity.

- The Greening Wymondham Group: £340 to improve green spaces around the North Wymondham Community Centre.

- Our Special Friends in Bury St Edmunds: £500 to this charity that aims to help people and animals help each other. They provide help to people to retain the companionship of animals by enabling practical assistance thereby supporting the wellbeing of both people and their animals.

-The Benjamin Foundation: received £633 to allow it to purchase new chairs for a Youth and Community Centre in Thetford.

- Special Olympics Norfolk: £600 towards kit for national competitors from their Wymondham-based swimming group

- Norwich’s SOS Bus: £500 to fund mental health and substance abuse training for their volunteers.

- The Mardler Talking Newspaper in North Norfolk: £139 to buy equipment to keep recording levels consistent in the delivery of local news to visually impaired people in their area

- Lowestoft & Oulton Broad Swimming Club: £1,300 to fund the replacement of a competition standard starting block.

Cheques were presented at a reception at the Hostry in Norwich’s Cathedral Close by Mr Lamb.

This was the sixth year of the programme, with 101 good causes now having received awards.

Pictured above are Almary Green Award winners (L to R):

Andy Dodds, Norwich & District Diabetes Youth Group

Amanda Ross, Stand Easy

Adam Sturman, 1st Attleborough Scouts

Nicola Cushion, Nelsonspirit

Kizzy Baxter, Special Olympics Norfolk (front)

Mike Towndrow, Meet Up Centre, The Benjamin Foundation

Carl Lamb, Managing Director, Almary Green

Allison Muffett, Norwich SOS Bus

Julia Bloomfield, The Mardler Talking Newspaper

Debbie Swann, Lowestoft & Oulton Broad Swimming Club

Peter Knights, Greening Wymondham

Sophie Berry, Nelson’s Journey

Belinda Johnston, Our Special Friends