A further 6 community groups have received funds totalling over £5,000 in the latest round of grant giving from the charitable foundation WightAID.
The WightAID Foundation works with Island companies, investors, and individuals to support charitable projects on the Isle of Wight that support local people and places.
To date, it has granted just short of half a million pounds to 180 different charities and community organisations on the Island.
Ryde Beach Lifeguards were just 1 of 6 community groups to benefit, with funding of £2,831 to purchase a manual Sand Piper Child’s Beach Wheelchair which will be available to use at Sandown Beach this year. The specially adapted wheelchair has all-terrain wheels which will enable children with mobility issues to access the beach more easily.
Todd Miller, Beach Manager at Sandown said:
“Having the funding to purchase one of these special chairs will make such a difference for children who might have difficulties accessing the beach. We’re extremely grateful to WightAID and its business partners as it’s simply not something we would have been able to afford ourselves. We can’t wait to see children enjoying using it this summer.””Free food in Sandown” provides some free food and pre-cooked meals to the homeless, elderly and anyone else who is struggling financially on The Isle of Wight. This community project is another group to benefit from £865 of grant funding which will help provide a much-needed new larder fridge freezer, toaster, food processor and dehumidifier and will help their volunteers provide even more support to the local community.
Other groups to benefit from total grant monies of £5,409.10 include:
- Brighstone Church and Community Mosaic Group – £400 Funding for tools which will be used to support community art projects
- Wootton Bridge Parent and Toddler Group – £395 Funding for storage boxes to store outside equipment.
- Friends of Niton School – £500 Funding for sensory equipment for their new art room to provide a calm environment for the children.
- Bodster Equine Assisted Learning C.I.C – £418.10 Funding towards weatherproofing an open barn to provide a dry area for their clients to engage and interact with the ponies.
Geoff Underwood, Founder of WightAID said:
“We’re delighted to be close to over half a million pounds worth of donations to Island community groups and charities and this latest group of recipients are a prime example of the range of different projects we’ve been able to support. We couldn’t do this though without the support of Island businesses, investors and individuals who make this all possible and who are as passionate as we are about helping the Island community.”
Why do charities fund lifeguards? Shouldn’t it be a government thing?