This in from Isle of Wight Festival HQ, in their own words. Ed
The recent debate surrounding the Isle of Wight Festival artwork appearing on the Island’s taxis has taken an unexpected turn, inspiring John Giddings, the Festival organiser to launch a brand new initiative to raise money for a local charity, the Waterside Community Trust.
The iconic Festival image, which has been used for many years, has now been given the go ahead by the Council to feature on the backs of Alpha Taxis.
Sale of bumper stickers to raise cash for Trust
Whilst many local supporters took to social media in support of the artwork, Claire Ball, contacted John and offered to personally display the image on her Peugeot 107, as well as the cars of her family and friends.
This unusual offer inspired Festival organisers to find a way of using the artwork to raise money for the Island charity and now the image, will be made into a car bumper sticker, available locally NOW priced at £2. The striking sticker encourages locals to Do The Wight Thing, with all funds raised donated to the charity.
Do The Wight Thing
All funds raised from the sale of the stickers will go to the Waterside Community Trust (WCT) a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers to ensure the swimming pool in Ryde remains open to the community.
As well as providing a valuable leisure service to a wide range of users, the WCT work extensively with young people and those with disabilities to provide a safe environment for personal development. The proceeds of Do The Wight Thing will enable a range of activities and necessary developments throughout 2013.
Council Did The Wight thing
John Giddings, the Festival’s promoter said: “There’s a whole aspect of the Festival that is focused on good causes and supporting local organisations on the Isle of Wight. We call it Do The Wight Thing and when the Council made its u-turn on our Festival artwork last week, we felt they were Doing The Wight Thing, too.
“The Waterside pool in Ryde is such an important facility for people across the Island and the work done by The Waterside Community Trust, especially with young people, is phenomenal. I’m really proud to support them.”
Ian Jenkins, Chairman of The Waterside Community Trust, said: “Working with the Isle of Wight Festival will give us the means to extend and enrich our community programme and look to provide facilities that are not available any where else on the Island. It is brilliant for the Trust to be recognised in this way and to demonstrate how the profile of the event can directly benefit our local community.”
Bumper stickers can be purchased from The Blacksheep Bar and The Waterside Pool, Ryde.
