Trio Of Groups Latest To Receive WightAID Support

A small but perfectly formed trio of organisations have received financial support in the latest round of giving from WightAID.

A table tennis group for people with Parkinson’s Disease, a Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme expedition and a project to uncover memories of the end of the Second World War are the beneficiaries of grants totalling £5,580.

The biggest beneficiary was Wroxall Community Association’s Stenbury Hall, which received £3,580 towards an inclusive table tennis project.

Spurred on by the success of its Isle of Wight League team, the association has seen a surge in interest in the sport and it is expanding the sessions to include people who would normally find it uncomfortable in the main sessions, particularly those with Parkinson’s Disease.

The grant will be used to buy two new tables, a rebound board, balls and an automatic ball machine.

A spokesperson for the association said:

“The Parkinson group are very excited for this to happen and we hope that it can improve health and wellbeing.

“It will be helpful for people with Parkinson's as they will be able to play and socialise together, forming new friendships and support groups as well as doing something fun.

“We hope very much that we can grow these sessions and look for other ways to support different groups and be more inclusive as a community centre.”

Isle of Wight Duke of Edinburgh Charitable Association received £1,500 towards its Gold Award expedition in August.

The young people who have progressed through the lower levels of the DofE Award and shown maturity and self-confidence, are now ready to embark on a four-day camping expedition in the Lake District for their Gold Award.

They have planned a thorough training programme including a practice trip to Snowdonia.

The third grant, of £500, goes to the Carisbrooke Castle Museum Trust, for a project collecting and sharing memories of 1945.

This year is the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

£500 will enable the trust to run five community reminiscence sessions in Ryde, Newport, Cowes, Ventnor, and Freshwater.to share the museum’s Second World War collections of objects, photographs and archive materials.

A trust spokesperson said:

“These sessions will enable people to learn more about the Isle of Wight in 1945 as well as share their own or their family memories.

"These sessions will be open to all and be intergenerational.

“They will culminate in an exhibition.”

Long-time WightAID supporter Gary Peace, from ESID Ltd, presented the charity cheque.

Geoff Underwood, WightAID founder, said:

“It was wonderful to hear about how busy these small charities are and the great work they are doing to assist so many in our community.”

Join WightAID at www.wightaid.org/donate