Gatwick Airport Community Trust supports charities and groups in Surrey, Sussex and Kent

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, 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 and 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 added: “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.

The Gatwick Airport Community Trust is an independent charity which provides financial support to projects aimed at the development of young people, fostering the arts, enhancing sporting facilities, promoting environmental improvement and conservation, improving community facilities, supporting volunteering initiatives and assisting the elderly and disabled individuals.

The purpose of setting up the Trust 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.

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

London Gatwick is also urging community groups and charities in Surrey, Kent and Sussex to apply for the next round of funding from the Gatwick Foundation Fund.

In Surrey groups must return an expression of interest by Tuesday 29 August, 2023. The deadline for full applications is 9 October. 2023.

In Kent the deadline for applications is 31 August. 2023.

In Sussex the deadline for applications is 8 September, 2023.

For more information please visit: https://www.gatwickairport.com/business-community/community/our-support/foundation-fund/ 

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Editors notes

About Gatwick Airport Community Trust

The Trust 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 Gatwick Airport Limited 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 Trust BEFORE applying for a larger grant.

Gatwick Airport Limited funds the Trust, with the annual amount linked to passenger numbers.

The purpose of setting up the Trust 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/