More than a dozen Isle of Wight charities have been handed a share of almost £23,000 in WightAID grants.

A cheque for £22,860 was presented to 13 Island charities by dog and mascot, Mavis.

Ranging from funding for youth trips to cash for uplifting garden gifts for elderly people, the money goes towards enhancing the lives of Islanders.

The biggest award of the funding round went to Freshwater Independent Lifeboat, which received £10,000 for essential crew PPE replacement.

Isle of Wight County Press: Abi and Regan from Performance in People, and Mavis, with the WightAID cheque and some of the organisations which benefitted.Abi and Regan from Performance in People, and Mavis, with the WightAID cheque and some of the organisations which benefitted. (Image: WightAID)

Without the funding, the vital service would not be able to operate.

A contribution was also made towards Isle of Wight Rotary, which is fundraising for the children’s walled garden at St Marys Hospital.

There were also plenty of small grants making a big difference.

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One of the charities benefitting, Godshill and Rookley Scouts, hosted the event at its scout hut.  

One of the firms which is supporting WightAID is Ryde-based company, Performance in People (PIP), with staff raising money for the foundation.

Abi and Regan, from PIP, came along to help Mavis present the cheques.

Abi said: “We are delighted to have been invited along to the recent charity cheque presentation and see first-hand the impact of our fundraising on some wonderful local island charities.

Isle of Wight County Press: Mavis, the WightAID dog, with the cheque.Mavis, the WightAID dog, with the cheque. (Image: WightAID)

Isle of Wight County Press: Members of First Act wearing the T-shirts bought with the WightAID grant.Members of First Act wearing the T-shirts bought with the WightAID grant. (Image: WightAID)

“WightAID have formed a fantastic community network and support system for Isle of Wight charities. We look forward to continuing to raise as much money as we can for the foundation.”

Other charities to benefit include Nettlestone & Seaview Sheds, Pigsty Farm CIC, First Act 2011, Embracing Age IW, West Wight Timebank, MAD-Aid, Nature Therapy CIC, the Isle of Wight Cricket Board and the Isle of Wight Duke of Edinburgh Award Charitable Association.

Geoff Underwood, founder of WightAID, thanked each charity for the amazing work they do, and for their dedication to Island life. 

He said: “Meeting in a group like this, gives all of you and our generous donors, the opportunity to really get to know each other, and find out about all the wonderful work so many people are doing to support our community.”.

WightAID has distributed over £650,000 to more than 225 local charities. 

Donors are primarily local businesses, but also many individuals who all have a passion for the Island.