The Gatwick Airport Community Trust has been a vital source of support for local organizations in Sussex, Surrey, and Kent since its establishment in 2002. In 2023, the Trust, which is entirely funded by London Gatwick, allocated a generous £250,000 to various community initiatives.
This year, the Trust has provided financial assistance to over 100 groups, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to the well-being of the communities surrounding Gatwick Airport. The Trust focuses on enhancing community life through programs that support youth growth, cultural enrichment through the arts, sports development, environmental conservation, community infrastructure improvements, and aid for the elderly and disabled.
London Gatwick is currently inviting community groups to apply for funding through The London Gatwick Foundation Fund. The application deadlines are:
* Sussex: September 6th, 2024
* Kent: September 27th, 2024
* Surrey: September 2nd, 2024 (for preliminary interest)
Melanie Wrightson, Stakeholder Engagement Manager at London Gatwick, emphasizes the significant impact of the Trust’s support: “The ongoing support offered by the Gatwick Airport Community Trust is yielding tangible benefits for grassroots organizations, charities and voluntary initiatives throughout Kent, Surrey and Sussex, which need financial donations to continue their good work.”
One of the notable recipients of the Trust’s funding is the City Gate Community Project, which operates FareShare Sussex & Surrey. This organization received a £5,000 grant to address food poverty in the region. Dan Slatter, CEO of FareShare Sussex & Surrey, expresses gratitude: “We are really grateful to the Gatwick Airport Community Trust for its recent donation. As a charity, we are reliant on funds such as these to be able to continue feeding 16,560 people every week. These remain challenging times for so many in our communities around Gatwick. This will enable us to extend our commercial chiller at our Brighton depot, helping us become more efficient with our deliveries and enabling us to meet the increased demand for our services.”
Other recipients of the Gatwick Airport Community Trust grants include:
* Stripey Stork: £5,000
* Jigsaw South East: £3,000
* Mycarematters 2020: £2,500
* Sal’s Shoes: £2,500
* The Launchpad Collective: £2,000
* Family Support Work: £1,600
* Chestnut Tree House: £1,538
* Tall Ships Youth Trust: £1,500
* Surrey Care Trust: £1,500
* St Catherine’s Hospice: £1,438
* Susy Radio Ltd: £1,260
* Lingfield Marathon Minibus: £750
The Gatwick Airport Community Trust is a testament to London Gatwick’s commitment to improving the lives of those within its surrounding communities. The next application period for the Trust opens on November 1st, 2024, and closes on March 31st, 2025. If you represent a community group in Sussex, Surrey, or Kent, consider applying for funding to support your valuable work.
