How we can help? That is the New Year question from Island grant-giving charity WightAID.
As WightAID enters its 10th year, it is appealing to good causes on the Isle of Wight to tell them about the projects they are undertaking and apply for grants to help fund them.
WightAID finished 2025 by giving out more than £10,000 to 2 Island causes – £9,950 to Seaview Sailing Trust and £400 to Brighstone Primary School. But it is keen to keep the giving going in 2026 and has appealed for Island groups to tell them about their plans for this year and beyond. And, of course, they would love to hear from individuals and businesses who would like to donate to WightAID’s funds.
Geoff Underwood, WightAID founder, said: “Happy New Year from everyone at WightAID.
“WightAID is dedicated to supporting local Isle of Wight charities. Our unique model ensures that every pound raised on the Island stays on the Island, directly supporting local causes, groups, and community projects.
“Now everyone is settled back in, hopefully they are starting to think about their upcoming projects, and we would love to hear from you.”
WightAID gives grants ranging from £250 to £10,000 and in 2025 distributed £71,106 to 41 organisations.
The final charity presentations from the November grant round saw David Jackson, WightAID trustee and CEO of WRS, present the cheque. Seaview Sailing Trust received their £9,950 towards two new toilet and changing containers as part of its mission to offer an experience of sailing to all Isle of Wight primary schoolchildren.
The trust’s hosts, Sea Vew Yacht Club, has received planning approval for the installation of two new containers at the SVYC boat park, on the Duver in Seaview. One of the containers will be an additional changing room, the other an accessible toilet and showering facility.
Brighstone Primary School was the other winner in the latest round, receiving £400 towards its scheme to take Year 6 children to London for a three-day residential trip, visiting Legoland, staying on HMS Belfast and visiting the Houses of Parliament.
To access the WightAID application form and full criteria head to www.wightaid.org. The next grant round is in March, so applications for grants to be considered must be received by the end of February.
