Island Charities Receive Over £13,500 In First WightAID Grants Of 2026

A range of Isle of Wight charities and community projects have received funding in the first round of WightAID grants for 2026, with over £13,500 awarded to support initiatives across all age groups.

The grants include:

• Two early-years support organisations

• A youth football club

• A village community group

• A floral initiative helping adults with learning and support needs brighten the lives of older Islanders

• A woodland improvement project

Lisa Butler, from WightAID supporter Rouse Ltd, presented the cheques to the recipients.

The largest grant, £5,707, went to The Ickle Pickles Children’s Charity, which supports premature and sick babies requiring intensive care in neonatal units.

The funding will provide two Neopuff Infant Resuscitators and two Croyde Kangaroo Recliner Chairs, helping new mothers bond with their babies and establish breastfeeding during critical care.

The charity’s Special Care Baby Unit at St Mary’s Hospital supports almost 300 babies and their families each year.

The Parenting Network CIC received £4,050 to fund activity costs and refreshments at its new Family Hub, launching at Quay Arts in Newport later this year.

The organisation also plans to expand outreach work with St Mary’s Special Care Baby Unit and local fostering and special guardianship teams, aiming to strengthen families during the early years.

Ryde-based Forever Wild at Heart was awarded £2,650 for its Community Woodland Improvement Project, making woodland areas safer, more accessible, and resilient for year-round community use.

The group focuses on wellbeing, inclusion, and safe outdoor activities for all ages.

Smaller grants were also awarded to other Island initiatives:

• Wroxall Woollies received £500 for games equipment, wool, and snacks to support its village activities, including weekly coffee mornings and monthly crafting sessions, with plans to expand to fortnightly games afternoons.

• Operation Geranium received £500 to grow and distribute 600 geranium pots to older residents through care hubs, continuing a programme running since 2020.

• Brighstone FC was given £216 to purchase 30 footballs for over 200 children training and playing weekly or fortnightly, with numbers expected to grow in the next season.

Geoff Underwood, WightAID founder, said:

“This is a fantastic start to 2026. We are delighted to support some truly incredible organisations.

"This is only possible thanks to the generosity of Island businesses and individuals, so a big thank you to them.”

Support WightAID and its work on the Isle of Wight at www.wightaid.org/donate.