London Gatwick appeals for Kent charities to apply for funding

Local charities and support organisations in Kent are urged to apply for funding from the Gatwick Airport Community Trust which is now open again for applications. 

Around £250,000 will be made available to worthy causes across parts of Kent, Surrey and West and East Sussex.

The deadline for community groups to apply to the Trust, which has been running for more than 20 years, is 31 March 2025.

Last year The Gatwick Airport Community Trust, which is funded exclusively by London Gatwick, provided much-needed support for more than 100 charities and groups across the region.

Funding available to community groups will be linked to passenger numbers during 2024 and the final amount available will be confirmed in 2025.

Melanie Wrightson, stakeholder engagement manager at London Gatwick, said: “We’re looking forward to supporting local groups and charities again as we open our annual appeal for good causes throughout Kent, Sussex and Surrey to apply for funding from the Gatwick Airport Community Trust.

“Since the Trust was established more than two decades ago it has been helping local groups to provide important services and we can’t wait to help more community groups next year too.”

The Gatwick Airport Community Trust supports a range of initiatives designed to enrich different facets of local communities. The trust prioritises groups which nurture youth development, champion the arts, bolster sports facilities, foster environmental improvements, enhance community infrastructure, advocate for volunteering and offer aid to the elderly and disabled.

One of the previous recipients was 1st Edenbridge Brownies, which received £1,704 to put towards its uniform fund and very first residential adventure.

Steph Harrison, Brownie Leader, 1st Edenbridge Brownies, said: “Being able to offer financial support to families to purchase uniform means that we can be inclusive and remove financial barriers to joining our group.

“We will also be going on a weekend away, where the Brownies will experience outdoor adventures, form friendships, and develop the confidence to try new things.

“For some girls, this will be the first time they have stayed away from home, and we are able to offer this experience by keeping costs low and inclusive to all.

“The support from the Gatwick Airport Community Trust is empowering our Brownies to know that they can do anything, and we would strongly encourage other groups to apply for funding to provide opportunities for the community they support.”

Earlier this year St Mary's Ukrainian School in Tunbridge Wells received £1,197 to buy sports and arts equipment for displaced Ukrainian children.

Rimma Tertytska, settings manager at St Mary's Ukrainian School, said: “St Mary's has become a safe haven for these children. We are incredibly thankful for this support and will use the funding to enhance the learning environment.

“The funding Gatwick Airport Community Trust has provided will go towards buying easels, watercolour paper and paints, brushes as well as some sports equipment like balls, rackets, nets and much more.”

The Gatwick Airport Community Trust was originally set up in 2002 as part of the legal arrangements between West Sussex County Council, Crawley Borough Council and London Gatwick following the publication of the airport’s Sustainable Development Strategy.

It aims to make a positive contribution to the quality of life of the communities affected by the airport and its continuing growth.

For more information about the Gatwick Airport Community Trust and to find out how to apply for the next round, visit: https://gact.org.uk/

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Editors notes

For further information, please contact:

Tom Bushby, Samantha Clark or Flo Powell

Midnight Communications

Tel: 01273 666 200

Email: gatwick@midnight.co.uk

Notes to editors:

About the Gatwick Airport Community Trust GACT is an independent charity that has been in operation since 2002 as part of the legal arrangements between West Sussex County Council, Crawley Borough Council and London Gatwick following publication of the airport’s Sustainable Development Strategy.

It awards grants annually for deserving projects within the area of benefit, which covers parts of East and West Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

The demand for grants always exceeds the funds available, and the normal level of grants is from £1,000 to £5,000. Occasionally larger amounts may be considered if they will benefit a significant number of people and will make a valuable difference in the longer term.

Applicants should seek advice from the Community Trust BEFORE applying for a larger grant.

London Gatwick funds GACT, with the annual amount linked to passenger numbers.

The purpose of setting up GACT was to ensure that, as the airport continued to grow, funds generated by the existence of the airport should be made available to a board of independent trustees, to make a positive contribution to the quality of life of the communities affected by the airport and its continuing growth.

Visit: https://www.gact.org.uk/