14 LOCAL GOOD CAUSES BENEFIT FROM GARDEN PARTY GENEROSITY

14 Isle of Wight good causes have been given a boost to their funds thanks to WightAID’s summer Garden Party. Groups from village halls to an arts group, sports clubs and the Alzheimer Café all received welcome cash donations. This was 1 of the biggest giving rounds in WightAID’s history as £26,738 was on the table thanks to the charity’s fundraising summer garden party at the home of WightAID founder, Geoff Underwood, and his wife, Amy. Arreton Community Hall, 1 of the grant recipients, hosted the cheque-giving event. The 14 organisations which benefited were:

• Calbourne Recreation Centre – £500 towards 3 gazebos, allowing them to hold more outdoor events
• Brighstone Reading Room – £500 for repair work to the building and to replace a fridge/freezer
• Storeroom 2010 Men in Sheds – £500 grant to purchase 2 reciprocal saws
• Daisy Chains – £1,900 for the charity which supports families with a child with life-limiting/long-term condition or disability. The WightAID donation will ensure all 38 families supported receive a Christmas activity box and gift
• Cowes Heritage and Community Group – £338.99 for a new laptop and software to help volunteers archive records and access information for enquiries
• Cowes Sea Cadets – £2,900 towards a new tender and launch trolley, outboard motor and ancillary equipment
• Ryde Saints Football Club – £2,000 for this club which comprises 15 adult and youth teams. The cash will go towards a new tractor mower to maintain home ground at Salters Park
• Arreton Community Hall – £2,500 to bring its fire safety into line with the latest regulations
• Aspire Ryde – £2,500 to upgrade the minibus funded by WightAID in 2016
• Men Only – £6,500 towards the Kitchen Build Project at the group’s Ryde High Street premises
• Music Craft CIC – £2,000 for this organisation which facilitates music education and performance for all. The cash will help upgrade a rehearsal and teaching facility and equipment.
• Operation Geranium – £500 towards the Operation Geranium Free Original Arts and Music Show Tour
• Independent Arts – £3,900 towards Sing about Cowes, project for isolated residents to meet and sing and socialise
• Alzheimer Café Isle of Wight – £5,000 for the UK`s first Alzheimer Café to be open every day, 7 days a week. The money will be used for activity supplies, kitchen equipment, painting, decorating, garden equipment and an event tent

Adam Martin, project leader, Cowes Men’s Shed, said:

 “Your donation is an investment in the well-being and happiness of the individuals we work with.”

Geoff Underwood, chair of trustees at WightAID, has said:

“The amazing generosity of those who attended our summer garden party has enabled us to support these incredible good causes.”

If anyone is interested in becoming a donor or is a charity/organisation who would like to apply for a grant, visit www.wightaid.org/apply.