MORE THAN £60,000 PAID OUT TO ISLE OF WIGHT CHARITIES – NEW APPLICATIONS WELCOME

New applications for funding are being welcomed by the WightAID foundation.

Since launching its crisis appeal last month, and working with 6 other grant-giving organisations, the group has distributed more than £60,000 to over 20 local worthy causes working at the forefront of the coronavirus response.

Among those to benefit from the appeal so far include the Isle of Wight Foodbank along with Pan Together, the Isle of Wight Youth Trust and Isle of Wight Carers.

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Geoff Underwood, WightAID chairman, said charities and community groups critical to sustaining the Island through the pandemic had been supported by the group, which includes The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation; The Daisie Rich Trust; The Isle of Wight Sports Foundation; The Isle of Wight Foundation; The High Sheriff’s Trust; The RYS Foundation, and WightAID.

He said:

“It’s truly a brilliant and indeed humbling experience to see that so many Island groups and individuals, have come together to support the community, particularly the vulnerable and those who are most at risk.

“Through our crisis appeal, we have been able to support local groups and organisations tackling food poverty, domestic abuse and assisting those experiencing social isolation on the Island.

“I would encourage other groups and charities helping to support the Island community at this critical time to visit our website and apply for funding.”

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The crisis fund, launched in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council, is being supported by the Isle of Wight Festival which has released a special t-shirt with all the profits going to the fund.

There have also been generous donations to the scheme with WightFibre contributing £10,000 and Sea View Yacht Club £5,000.

Geoff adds:

“We are also extremely grateful to all those businesses and organisations that have supported the appeal by contributing funds.

“The Covid-19 crisis is affecting the Island community in many unfortunate ways and their support to our crisis fund will ensure the most critical charities get the support they need.”

People can support WightAID or apply for funding at www.wightaid.org/donate.

Grants distributed so far:

Isle of Wight Soup Kitchen — £1,000
Pan Together – £1,000
Isle of Wight Foodbank – £5,000
Suicide Prevention & Intervention Isle of Wight — £2,400
Citizens Advice Isle of Wight — £2,500
Age UK — £5,000
Isle of Wight Youth Trust — £5,000
DIDDI — £500
Wight Dash — £1,000
Home Start — £500
Isle of Wight Carers — £600
People Matter (AIM) — £500
West Wight Community Support Hub — £5,000
Ability Dogs 4 Young People Isle of Wight — £500
Baby Box — £4,000
West Wight Men in Sheds — £500
Sight for Wight — £5,000
Wessex Cancer — £2,500
Vectis Housing — £3,000
Aspire Ryde — £2,500
Haylands Farm — £500
CABS — £2,000
SPII — £1,500
Embracing Age — £10,000