Good causes across Surrey, Sussex and Kent were celebrating this week after Gatwick Airport Community Trust announced the recipients of thousands of pounds of funding.
Money went to more than 100 groups and charities across the region, which will be used to carry on essential work during the cost-of-living crisis.
Every year, The Gatwick Airport Community Trust invites groups and charities to apply for funding, and in 2023, a total of £200,000 was distributed to good causes across the region.
Melanie Wrightson, stakeholder engagement manager at London Gatwick, said: “We know from the feedback we’ve received that these contributions have a significant impact, enabling charities, clubs and organisations to thrive and continue making a difference.
“This is especially important during the challenging economic times the country is facing where rampant inflation is affecting every aspect of our lives.
“It’s a privilege for everyone at London Gatwick to be able to play our part in having a positive impact on our community with the Gatwick Airport Community Trust as we continue to provide employment for many people in the area.”
One of the many groups which received a boost was Crowborough Community Orchard, which will use the money to pay for groundworks to get an exciting project underway.
David Martin, chair of Crowborough Community Orchard, said: “We were thrilled to receive £2,300 from Gatwick Airport Community Trust. We are a new community orchard group based in Crowborough and the funding will help us establish a new pollinator garden, which will have a big visual impact on our site.
“As well as enhancing biodiversity, we hope to attract lots more insects to pollinate our fruit trees, provide a beautiful garden for our partner schools to work in and a place for our volunteers to relax in and watch nature.”
Sussex Search and Rescue was another group to benefit. It will use the money to fund its vital voluntary services to Sussex Police to help the search for vulnerable missing people, such as the elderly, people living with dementia, children and anyone else deemed to be a high risk.
James Gill, Sussex Search and Rescue medical lead, said: “We are incredibly thankful for the £1,820 grant SusSAR received from the Gatwick Airport Community Trust.
“As a charitable organisation of volunteers, we rely on grants and fundraising to keep us operational and our training up to date.
“This grant has allowed us to purchase an adult airway management manikin and airway management equipment that we can use for training CPR, basic life support, and airway management for all our volunteers and first aid team.
“It is essential for us to maintain our skills and to remain fully prepared for what we might encounter whilst providing our services.”
Funding applications for 2023 are currently closed but groups will soon be invited to apply for 2024.
