Fourteen good causes have been given a boost to their funds thanks to WightAID’s summer garden party.

Groups from village halls to an arts group, sports clubs and the Alzheimer Café all received welcome cash donations.

This was one of the biggest giving rounds in WightAID’s history as £26,738 was on the table thanks to the charity’s fundraising summer garden party at the home of WightAID founder Geoff Underwood and his wife, Amy.

One of the grant recipients, Arreton Community Hall, hosted the cheque-giving event.

The 14 organisations which benefited were:

Calbourne Recreation Centre - £500 towards three gazebos, allowing them to hold more outdoor events.

Brighstone Reading Room - £500 for repair work and to replace a fridge/freezer. The Reading Room provides a warm, safe facility for the village.

Storeroom 2010 Men in Sheds - £500 to purchase two reciprocal saws. Despite the name, nearly 30 per cent of this membership are women.

Daisy Chains - £1,900 for the charity which supports families with a child with life-limiting/long-term condition or disability. The donation will ensure all 38 families supported receive a Christmas gift.

Cowes Heritage and Community Group - £339 for a new laptop and software to help volunteers archive records and access information for enquiries.

Cowes Sea Cadets - £2,900 towards a new tender and launch trolley, outboard motor and ancillary equipment.

Ryde Saints Football Club - £2,000 for this club which comprises 15 adult and youth teams. The cash will go towards a new tractor mower to maintain home ground at Salters Park.

Arreton Community Hall - £2,500 to bring its fire safety into line with the latest regulations. Groups from Arreton and around the Island, as well as the parish council and NHS, use the hall.

Aspire Ryde - £2,500 to upgrade the minibus funded by WightAID in 2016, used to take community members around the Island.

Men Only - £6,500 towards the Kitchen Build Project at the group’s Ryde High Street premises. Men Only offers a warm, safe place, and advice and support.

Music Craft CIC - £2,000 for this organisation which facilitates music education and performance for all. The cash will help upgrade a rehearsal and teaching facility and equipment.

Operation Geranium - £500 towards the Free Original Arts and Music Show Tour. They deliver bright coloured geraniums to community hubs and care homes, improving mental health and well-being.

Independent Arts - £3,900 towards Sing about Cowes, project for isolated residents to meet and sing and socialise.

Alzheimer Cafe Isle of Wight - £5,000 for the UK`s first Alzheimer Cafe to be open seven days a week. The money will be used for activity supplies, kitchen equipment, painting, decorating, garden equipment and an event tent.