Red Funnel is calling on Isle of Wight charities to put themselves forward for its 2027 Charity of the Year programme, with applications now officially open.
For many charities, raising funds is only part of the challenge. Finding volunteers, building awareness and reaching the people who need support can be just as difficult.
As applications for Red Funnel’s 2027 Charity of the Year programme open, one Isle of Wight charity will have the opportunity to receive a year of support designed to raise the profile of its work and help generate vital funds.
Applications are now open to charities of all sizes and causes that support the Isle of Wight community, with organisations encouraged to apply by Sunday 1st November.
Since the ferry operator began its Charity of the Year programme in 2015 it has raised over £385,000 in support of causes impacting the Island community.
Speaking on the opening of Red Funnel’s annual Charity of the Year applications, CEO Fran Collins said:
“The Isle of Wight is home to so many amazing charities doing important work for our community, and our Charity of the Year programme gives us the opportunity to add our support to one of them each year.
“We’ve been delighted to partner with Friends of the Animals as our 2026 Charity of the Year and help make a difference. Now, we’re asking charities across the Island: could your cause become our cause in 2027?”
Article continues below this advertisement
The application criteria for applying to be Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year are:
- Must be a registered charity
- Have been operational for at least 12 months
- Support the Isle of Wight community, helping to improve quality of life or create opportunities for Island residents
- Have an Isle of Wight office and fundraiser who can manage the partnership
- Can provide promotional material, volunteers and event opportunities for the partnership
- Have not been Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year within the past 7 years.
Interested charities should apply to Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year 2027 programme by Sunday 1st November, via this link, https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/apply
Red Funnel’s 2026 Charity of the Year is Friends of the Animals and 6-months into their partnership they have raised over £13,000.
The generosity of Red Funnel’s customers has played a big part in the total raised, with funds generated through customer donations, teddy tombolas and the sale of unclaimed lost property. Red Funnel colleagues have also gone the extra mile for the partnership, taking on a range of fundraising challenges, including the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge, which saw three members of the team take part and raise more than £1,000 for Friends of the Animals.
Alongside fundraising, Red Funnel has provided practical support to Friends of the Animals, including donating food and treats to the charity’s senior residents through its Golden Paws Club, helping to create marketing materials for community events, and supporting the charity at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival.
More recently, Red Funnel colleagues went head-to-head with Island Roads in a charity football match in support of the animal welfare charity, raising a further £700.
The funds raised will help support animals across the Isle of Wight through veterinary treatment and preventative care, as well as helping owners struggling with the cost of caring for their pets.
