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

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

There is a total of £250,000 of funding available across the area of benefit, which includes parts of Kent, West Sussex, East Sussex and Surrey - 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 the Gatwick Airport Community Trust last year made a real difference to grassroots organisations, charities and voluntary projects around the Kent 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 Kent 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 the recipients last year was Age UK Tunbridge Wells, which received £2,000 towards a magic table, which provides hours of stimulation and fun for clients and their families.

Kim Pearman, community engagement officer, Age UK Tunbridge Wells, said: “The magic table is perfect to encourage movement, stretching, engagement, relationship building and a great amount of laughter with all our clients.

“We are thrilled to have this fantastic interactive projection magic table which gets all our clients, their family and our staff engaged.”

Another recipient was Penshurst Park Cricket Club which received £1,000 towards new cover tops for the cricket season.

Jake Cheesman, from Penshurst Park Cricket Club, said: “Thanks to the generous support from the Gatwick Airport Community Trust, we received a crucial boost of £1,000.

“This funding has allowed us to invest in essential ground maintenance equipment, specifically new cover tops for the upcoming cricket season.

“These functional covers acquired through the grant will help us maintain the best possible playing surface for our games, helping us continue to play the sport we all love.”

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/