Lifeguard Services Among Those To Benefit As WightAID Splashes The Cash

A further six community groups have received funds totalling over £5,000 in the latest round of grant giving from charitable foundation WightAID. 

The WightAID Foundation works with Island companies, investors, and individuals to support charitable projects on the Isle of Wight that support local people and places. 

To date it has granted just short of half a million pounds to 180 different charities and community organisations on the Island.

Ryde Beach Lifeguards were just one of six community groups to benefit, with funding of £2,831 to purchase a manual Sand Piper Child’s Beach Wheelchair which will be available to use at Sandown Beach this year.

The specially adapted wheelchair has all-terrain wheels which will enable children with mobility issues to access the beach more easily.

Todd Miller, Beach Manager at Sandown said:

“Having the funding to purchase one of these special chairs will make such a difference for children who might have difficulties accessing the beach. 

"We’re extremely grateful to WightAID and its business partners as it’s simply not something we would have been able to afford ourselves. 

"We can’t wait to see children enjoying using it this summer.”

"Free food in Sandown" provides some free food and pre-cooked meals to the homeless, elderly and anyone else who is struggling financially on The Isle of Wight.

Friends of Niton School receiving their WightAID cheque from Trustee Brian Marriott and representatives from Robertson Foster (plus Mavis the dog!)

This community project is another group to benefit from £865 of grant funding which will help provide a much-needed new larder fridge freezer, toaster, food processor and dehumidifier and will help their volunteers provide even more support to the local community.

Dott Perrett from the charity, which operates out of the Free Food in the Bay shop in Lake said:

“We support around 200-300 people each week, providing free fresh fruit and vegetables and other packaged food (e.g., pasta, rice etc), as well as batch cooking £1 meals that can be reheated to provide a healthy meal. 

"The new equipment will enable us to do so much more for people who really need our help in the local area.”

Other groups to benefit from total grant monies of £5,409.10 include:

• Brighstone Church and Community Mosaic Group — £400
• Wootton Bridge Parent and Toddler Group — £395
• Friends of Niton School — £500
• Bodster Equine Assisted Learning C.I.C — £418.10

Funding towards weatherproofing an open barn to provide a dry area for their clients to engage and interact with the ponies. 

Geoff Underwood, Founder of WightAID said:

“We’re delighted to be close to over half a million pounds worth of donations to Island community groups and charities and this latest group of recipients are a prime example of the range of different projects we’ve been able to support. 

"We couldn’t do this though without the support of Island businesses, investors and individuals who make this all possible and who are as passionate as we are about helping the Island community.”