The Community Foundation for Surrey has successfully met its target of raising £1 million for local community and voluntary groups in the county thanks to generous donors and Surrey residents.

The Community First campaign has been running for the past year to encourage local people to donate to the Community Foundation for Surrey and take advantage of the Government's offer to match £1 to every £2 donated. The money raised has been put into permanent funds that have been invested. The income earned by the funds is used to provide ongoing funding to support local charities, community and voluntary groups in perpetuity.

Professor Patrick Dowling, Chairman of the Community Foundation for Surrey, said: "This is a fantastic achievement and we would like to thank everyone who donated so generously. Your donations will leave a lasting legacy and benefit our local communities for years to come. The Government has pledged to match donations until 2015, so there is still time to donate and support local people in need."

Thanks to Surrey residents donating into Surrey's Community First Fund, and donations from private donors, 13 new funds have been established supporting a range of community needs. These funds are supporting people who are vulnerable and in need, facilities for young people and supporting people with disabilities and mental ill health into employment.

The money raised has already been used to benefit several local community and voluntary groups across Surrey. Beyond Survival, a group supporting survivors of domestic abuse and their families, was awarded a grant of £2,300 from the Community Foundation for Surrey's Mamie Mollan Fund and Dora Fedoruk Community First Memorial Fund. The grant has enabled Beyond Survival to provide art and play therapy sessions for children aged 3-11 who have suffered abuse. The therapy sessions provide essential support to children who have witnessed abuse and to overcome any issues as a result of their traumatic experience.

Crossroad Care Surrey provides support to carers in the county by providing community-based Carer Support Workers (CSWs) enabling carers to have a break from their caring responsibilities. Regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly visits are provided as well as overnight support when needed. Services include short breaks at home, befriending and social clubs. Grants from the Community Foundation for Surrey's Mamie Mollan Fund and Dora Fedoruk Community First Memorial Fund totalling £3,000 has enabled the charity to start a monthly Saturday social club for adults with disabilities/dementia, allowing carers a respite break which started on the 6th April.

Community and voluntary groups in need of funding can visit the Community Foundation for Surrey's website and fill in an Expression of Interest form (http://www.cfsurrey.org.uk/expression-interest-form). Alternatively please contact us on 01483 409230.

For more details about the Community First campaign please visit www.cfsurrey.org.uk or call 01483 409230. Donations can be made online at www.localgiving.com/surreycommfirstfund. Alternatively please send cheques made out to the Community Foundation for Surrey to 1 Bishops Wharf, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4RA.