The manager of a Dereham charity says securing funding through a £16,000 giveaway would be "crucial" in helping the group carry on looking after vulnerable people.

Dereham Meeting Point is one of 10 East Anglian nominees through to the final stage of the Readers’ Choice Cash for Charity campaign.

Readers will determine the split of the pot by collecting tokens in the Dereham Times, Eastern Daily Press and the Norwich Evening News over the coming weeks.

Tokens must be taken to collection points or be posted. If a charity is selected with 50pc of all tokens collected, it will receive half of the £16,000.

Meeting Point, based off Saint Withburga Lane in Dereham, supports over-55s, those living with dementia and younger members who have learning disabilities.

Locals are invited to meet, socialise and enjoy a range of activities from Monday to Friday.

Just last week, the group launched a breakfast club to help members cope with the spiralling cost of living.

Shonette Mooney, manager of Meeting Point, said money from the campaign would initially be used to upgrade some of its catering facilities.

"We could really do with this funding having launched the breakfast club," said Miss Mooney. "A lot of our stuff here, like our cooker, is quite ancient.

"It is not up to the standard we would like, so we would like to put the money towards some new catering equipment."

Campaign cash could also help Meeting Point get the ball rolling with another project, which would see the charity launch its own transport service.

Miss Mooney's vision is that a vehicle would be used to pick up and drop off less mobile members from the surrounding area.

"Transport is our biggest problem as a lot of our members are quite isolated," she said.

"Now more than ever, it is crucial we have our own transport because we are getting busier and busier."

She added: "Our logo says 'heart of the community' and that is what we would like to think we are.

"We like to think of ourselves as one big family. If we can help anyone in any way, then we will."

Tokens can be taken to Cash for Charity collection boxes at local supermarkets, newsagents and other prominent locations in the area, or by sending to Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE ahead of the deadline of Sunday, November 20.