London Gatwick calls for Surrey groups to apply for £250,000 of funding

The Gatwick Airport Community Trust is calling on local groups and projects in Surrey to apply for grant funding.

There is a total of £250,000 of funding available across the area of benefit, which includes parts of Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent - the application process is now open with a deadline of 31 March 2024 to apply.

Last year around £200,000 went to more than 100 groups and charities across the region which was used to carry out essential work during the cost-of-living crisis.

Melanie Wrightson, stakeholder engagement manager at London Gatwick said: “The cost-of-living crisis continues in the UK and we know that our funding of Gatwick Airport Community Trust last year made a real difference to grassroots organisations, charities and voluntary projects around the Surrey region.

“We encourage groups to apply for funding this year at a time when they are under financial pressure.

“The trust has been helping groups in the Surrey region since 2002 and the trustees are looking forward to making a difference in 2024 when they consider this year’s applications.”

The trustees adopt strict criteria when choosing where to channel funds, focusing on areas near London Gatwick. Beneficiaries must live within the trust’s area of benefit - the map is available to view here: https://gact.org.uk/area-of-benefit/

The Gatwick Airport Community Trust encourages and supports schemes that benefit diverse sections of the local community, and are targeted towards the development of young people, the arts, sporting facilities, environmental improvement and conservation, enhancements to community facilities, volunteering, the elderly and the disabled.

Amongst last year’s recipients was Bloomin’ Arts in Lingfield, which received £2,000 from the Gatwick Airport Community Trust towards installing a new oak sprung floor at its headquarters.

Gaynor Thurbin, fundraising and marketing officer, said: “We were delighted to receive funding from the Gatwick Airport Community Trust last year, which went towards installing a brand-new floor in our workshop.

“This upgrade facilitates seamless transitions between art projects and dance routines, thanks to its easy-clean design. The added benefit of a sprung floor has significantly reduced injury risks for our dance company, allowing for the incorporation of even more activities into its routines.”

Another recipient was YMCA East Surrey, which received £1,700 for sensory room equipment at YMCA Sovereign Centre in Reigate.

Jackie Sanders, disability services manager said: “We were very grateful to receive funding from Gatwick Airport Community Trust, which went towards a wobble mirror and bubble wall for our sensory room.

“The Centre is home to our Short Breaks play schemes for children with disabilities and complex needs and our Sovereign Preschool, where almost half of the children have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

“Sensory play is particularly beneficial for children with SEND and during their early years. The team at YMCA Sovereign Centre are thrilled with the improvement it has made to the sensory room and the children are thoroughly enjoying the new equipment, which will continue to benefit the hundreds of children who use the Centre every year.”

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 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.

This year applications will only be accepted online and all information on how to apply is on the website.

For more information about the Gatwick Airport Community Trust, visit: https://www.gact.org.uk/

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Editors notes

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/