Six Isle of Wight causes given help by WightAID Foundation

The six organisations, from across the Isle of Wight, shared £5,000.

WightAID works with Island companies, investors, and individuals to support charitable projects on the Isle of Wight that support local people and places. 

To date it has granted just short of half a million pounds to 180 different charities and community organisations on the Island.

- Friends of Niton School representatives receiving their WightAID cheque from Trustee Brian Marriott and representatives from Robertson Foster plus Mavis the dog. (Image: WightAID)

So, who will benefit?

Ryde Beach Lifeguards were just one of six community groups to benefit, with funding of £2,831 to purchase a manual Sand Piper Child’s Beach Wheelchair which will be available to use at Sandown Beach this year. 

The specially adapted wheelchair has all-terrain wheels which will enable children with mobility issues to access the beach more easily.

Todd Miller, beach manager at Sandown, said: “Having the funding to purchase one of these special chairs will make such a difference for children who might have difficulties accessing the beach. 

"We’re extremely grateful to WightAID and its business partners as it’s simply not something we would have been able to afford ourselves.  We can’t wait to see children enjoying using it this summer.”

Free Food in The Bay provides some free food and pre-cooked meals to the homeless, elderly and anyone else who is struggling financially on The Isle of Wight.

This community project is another group to benefit from £865 of grant funding which

will help provide a much-needed new larder fridge freezer, toaster, food processor and dehumidifier and will help their volunteers provide even more support to the local community.

Dott Perrett from the charity, which operates out of the Free Food in the Bay shop in Lake said: “We support around 200-300 people each week, providing free fresh fruit and vegetables and other packaged food (eg pasta, rice etc), as well as batch cooking £1 meals that can be reheated to provide a healthy meal.”

Brighstone Church and Community Mosaic Group - £400

Funding for tools which will be used to support community art projects

Wootton Bridge Parent and Toddler Group - £395

Funding for storage boxes to store outside equipment.

Friends of Niton School - £500

Funding for sensory equipment for their new art room to provide a calm environment for the children.

Bodster Equine Assisted Learning C.I.C - £418.10

Funding towards weatherproofing an open barn to provide a dry area for their clients to engage and interact with the ponies. 

Read more: 

• Twenties ball gives WightAID big cash boost
• Beach lifeguards looking for new recruits for summer

What WightAID say about the grants

Geoff Underwood, founder of WightAID, said: “We’re delighted to be close to £500,000 worth of donations to Island community groups and charities and this latest group of recipients are a prime example of the range of different projects we’ve been able to support. 

"We couldn’t do this though without the support of Island businesses, investors and individuals who make this all possible and who are as passionate as we are about helping the Island community.”

Claire Robertson, from PR company Robertson Foster, who helped present the cheques to the successful groups said: “We were motivated as a business to support WightAID because of the work they do to help generate funds for grassroots community and charity projects on the Island. 

"Hearing first-hand about the difference this funding will make to people’s lives is extremely inspiring and we would encourage other Island businesses to get involved.”