AN Essex and Suffolk-based business has smashed its fundraising target for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) – helping more than 50 families make cherished memories with their loved ones. 

Lignacite, a leading manufacturer of concrete blocks for the building trade, named the organisation as its charity of the year for 2025, completing a series of fundraising challenges to support its incredible work for young people and their families.

Its initial £5,000 target was quickly surpassed, as the business and its supporters raised an amazing £13,620. This fantastic total will fund 51 memory-making sessions for families supported by the charity, enabling them to spend precious moments with their children during difficult times.

The initiative was spearheaded by the business’ Chief Operating Officer, Nick Franks, who walked 500km across 10 ultra marathon-length challenges over the year.

He said: “It’s an amazing feeling to have more than doubled our fundraising goal for EACH.

“As a proud East Anglian business, it was important for us to partner with a charity whose impacts are felt throughout the areas in which we’re based – and EACH’s excellent work supporting families in their toughest moments has always been a huge inspiration to us.

“It’s certainly been a challenge, pushing me out of my comfort zone, but it’s been more than worth it.

“While EACH is our first ever charity of the year, we have a long and proud history of championing local good causes – and this is by far the most we’ve ever raised. 

“A huge thank you to our dedicated team and supporters for making this achievement possible.”

Lignacite, which has been a member of EACH’s “Business Circle” of corporate supporters since January 2025, is primarily based in Brandon, Suffolk, but also operates another manufacturing plant in Nazeing, Essex.

Other fundraising events held in 2025 included the 16-mile Pier 2 Pier Suffolk walk, alongside a charity collection at the company’s annual clay shooting event. 

Lignacite will continue to support EACH over the next two years, with Nick once again preparing for a challenge of grand proportions in 2026.

Anna Bruce, Senior Corporate Fundraiser at EACH, said: “The support from Lignacite in the last year has been extraordinary – and it’s been an honour to see first-hand how dedicated their team is to helping us.

“The vast majority of our funding comes from generous donations like this, and we’re so grateful to Lignacite and its partners for their support.

“We can’t wait to reveal the new heights Nick and the Lignacite team are set to scale for us this year!”

More information on Lignacite and its fundraising – alongside a donation link – can be found at www.lignacite.co.uk/charity-of-the-year.