Red Funnel, the operator of vehicle and passenger ferry services between the mainland and the Isle of Wight, has announced that Aspire Ryde will be its Charity of the Year for 2023.
The announcement comes after a vote by both the public and Red Funnel colleagues.
What is Aspire?
Aspire is an award-winning community hub that operates services across the Island in partnership with the Isle of Wight council and other voluntary partners.
The organisation provides a wide range of services, with a focus on providing spaces for people to meet, grow, and enhance their friendships and social networks, alleviate loneliness and isolation.
Some of the services that Aspire provides include a ‘Creative Hub’ for rehearsals and production, gardening clubs, warm hub and community cafe, a soft play space for kids, and the UK’s first escape room set inside the crypt of an old church, which is also the site of the organisation’s headquarters.
Additionally, the hub regularly hosts workshops teaching a wide range of new skills, from creative writing to upcycling, and managing mental wellbeing.
Collins: We admire their passion for the community
Fran Collins, Chief Executive of Red Funnel, said,
“I am delighted to announce that Aspire has been selected as Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year 2023.
“We admire their passion for the community and look forward to working together this year to help support our Island community, and help it thrive.”
The year ahead
Over the next 12 months, Red Funnel will work with Aspire on a series of ongoing fundraising and awareness campaigns.
In previous years, Red Funnel has helped its partners to fundraise through customer donations, sports competitions, and volunteering, and has raised over £300,000 in cash donations.
Nicholas: Our community needs us more than ever
Trevor Nicholas, Chief Executive Officer at Aspire, said,
“All of us at Aspire are so excited to have been chosen as Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year.
“Aspire exists to support our community on the Isle of Wight and it really means a lot that Red Funnel staff and customers have voted for us.”
He continued,
“Our community needs us more than ever and we continue to see demand for our services rising as the cost-of-living crisis impacts on people’s finances and their physical and mental wellbeing.
“Partnering with Red Funnel will enable us to help more people and offer more services to make a real difference to people’s lives. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for us.”
Young Lives vs Cancer
Aspire succeeds Young Lives vs Cancer, Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year in 2022.
A final announcement of the total funds raised along with a cheque presentation is due to be announced soon.
Support for runners up
The two runners-up in Red Funnel’s COTY selection process were Independent Arts – a small but well-known Isle of Wight charity, which tackles loneliness and vulnerability through quality art-based programs, supporting Islanders ages 4 to 104 years, and the RSPCA – Isle of Wight Branch, who provide support for the Island’s most vulnerable animals, supporting the daily care and welfare for domestic, farm, and wild animals.
Red Funnel has also committed a cash donation and equivalent support package to a combined sum of £10,000 (£5,000 each), to both Independent Arts and the RSPCA – Isle of Wight Branch.
Red Funnel customers can opt to make a donation to Aspire at the time of booking their ferry travel online or donate at most Red Funnel points of sale.
Find out more
For more information about Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year scheme and Aspire, please visit the Red Funnel Website and Aspire’s Website.
Image: © Google Maps/Streetview
