Fourteen Isle of Wight good causes have been given a boost to their funds thanks to WightAID’s summer Garden Party.
From village halls to an arts group, and from sports clubs to the Alzheimer Cafe, 14 organisations all received welcome cash donations.
£26,738 across 14 organisations
This was one of the biggest giving rounds in WightAID’s history as £26,738 was on the table thanks to the charity’s fundraising summer garden party at the home of WightAID founder Geoff Underwood and his wife, Amy.
One of the grant recipients, Arreton Community Hall, hosted the cheque-giving event.
Calbourne Recreation Centre
£500 towards three gazebos, allowing them to hold more outdoor events.
Brighstone Reading Room
£500 for repair work to the building and to replace a fridge/freezer. The Reading Room provides a warm, safe facility for the village and wider community.
Graham Ockendon, trustee, Brighstone Reading Room, said,
“The grant was much appreciated and came at an ideal time as trustees were dealing with several issues post-pandemic.”
Storeroom 2010 Men in Sheds
£500 grant to purchase two reciprocal saws. Despite the name, nearly 30 per cent of this membership of organisation, which tackles isolation and improves mental health, are women.
Adam Martin, project leader, Cowes Men’s Shed, said,
“Your donation is an investment in the well-being and happiness of the individuals we work with.”
Daisy Chains
£1,900 for the charity which supports families with a child with life-limiting/long-term condition or disability. The WightAID donation will ensure all 38 families supported receive a Christmas activity box and gift.
Cowes Heritage and Community Group
£338.99 for a new laptop and software to help volunteers archive records and access information for enquiries.
Cowes Sea Cadets
£2,900 towards a new tender and launch trolley, outboard motor and ancillary equipment.
Ryde Saints Football Club
£2,000 for this club which comprises 15 adult and youth teams. The cash will go towards a new tractor mower to maintain home ground at Salters Park.
Arreton Community Hall
£2,500 to bring its fire safety into line with the latest regulations. Groups from Arreton and around the Island, as well as the parish council and NHS, use the hall.
Aspire Ryde
£2,500 to upgrade the minibus funded by WightAID in 2016. It is used to take community members around the Island.
Men Only
£6,500 towards the Kitchen Build Project at the group’s Ryde High Street premises. Men Only offers a warm, safe place, and advice and support.
Music Craft CIC
£2,000 for thisorganisation which facilitates music education and performance for all. The cash will help upgrade a rehearsal and teaching facility and equipment.
Isabel, Music Craft CIC, said,
“Our downstairs rehearsal room, the Yellow Room, is now fully kitted out for musicians of all ages to rehearse music in all styles.”
Operation Geranium
£500 towards the Operation Geranium Free Original Arts and Music Show Tour. They deliver bright coloured geraniums to community hubs and care homes. Improving mental health and well-being.
Independent Arts
£3,900 towards Sing about Cowes, project for isolated residents to meet and sing and socialise.
Alzheimer Cafe Isle of Wight
£5,000for the UK’s first Alzheimer Cafe to be open every day, seven days a week. The money will be used for activity supplies, kitchen equipment, painting, decorating, garden equipment and an event tent.
Geoff Underwood, chair of trustees, WightAID, said,
“The amazing generosity of those who attended our summer garden party has enabled us to support these incredible good causes.”
If anyone is interested in becoming a donor or is a charity/organisation who would like to apply for a grant, visit the WightAid website.
News shared by Alan on behalf of WightAid. Ed
