Groups spend Isle of Wight Foundation grant crash

Some of the groups receiving Isle of Wight Foundation cash
Some of the groups receiving Isle of Wight Foundation cash
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A host of Island groups have been handed cash by the Isle of Wight Foundation.

Chillerton and Gatcombe Community Association, Newport-based The Way Forward Programme, and Whippingham Community Association will share over £12,600 between them.

Chillerton and Gatcombe Community Association will use its £3,505 to upgrade Chillerton village hall, creating a community facility and hub.

Nigel Phillips, treasurer of Chillerton and Gatcombe Community Association, said: "We are delighted.

"The village hall is a very important part of the community but in order to keep it accessible for all we do need to keep it in a good condition.

"This donation will help up to repoint the east and west walls of the hall and also install an outside tap that will help us maintain our grounds."

The Way Forward Programme, which provides a day centre, community support, training, and employment for Islanders with disabilities and autism, will spend £4,125 on a new accessible kitchen.

Tracey Hill, Programme Lead for The Way Forward Programme, said: "We are absolutely thrilled that, once again, the Isle of Wight Foundation has provided us with much-needed funding.

"This will be a great help in our work to encourage the independence and self-worth of our customers."

Isle of Wight County Press: Whippingham Community Association recieves its cheque.

Whippingham Community Association will use its £5,000 grant to make its Community Hall accessible to all.

Trevor Rann, Whippingham Community Association Chair of Trustees said: "This very welcome grant will enable us to upgrade the entrance and existing ladies' toilets, also to provide a unisex disabled toilet, thereby making the building more accessible and therefore more inclusive.

"It will increase usage, which will help the building remain a viable and valuable, community hub."

Isle of Wight County Press:

Front: Dougal with puppy parent Nicola Hall. Back (L to R): Carol Court and Samantha O’Rourke, IW Foundation co-ordinator

Meanwhile, three recipients will use Foundation money to buy vehicles - sharing £30,000, between them.

Ability Dogs 4 Young People has received £14,000 towards a new van, Bembridge Friendship Circle gets £10,000 towards the cost of a new community bus and Care in the Garden has been awarded £7,500, to buy a ride-on mower, trailer and mulcher.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Samantha O’Rourke (IW Foundation co-ordinator) and John Goodenough of Care in the Garden

The Foundation is made up of the partners in Highways PFI company Island Roads and it supports projects working to tackle social exclusion on the Island.

Since 2014, it has awarded more than £543,000 to good causes.

Isle of Wight Foundation chairman Phillip Horton said: "We are delighted to support three improvement projects that will make buildings that are hubs for their respective communities accessible for all.

"In common with all recipients, these groups share our aim of helping to make the Isle of Wight community a strong, vibrant and inclusive one."

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