From Budding Rugby Stars To Care Home Residents: Latest WightAID Grants Announced

From young rugby players to family events and Christmas gifts for older people, WightAID’s November grants had all the bases covered.

The latest grant round awarded £6,742 to eight different charities and organisations.

Other projects which received cash included AIM Autism Inclusion Matters, two Isle of Wight primary schools, a Christian group in Newport and Sight for Wight (formerly the Isle of Wight Society for the Blind).

Amy Underwood, WightAID administrator, said:

“The latest round of giving shows the diversity of organisations needing our support.

“We are delighted to have helped these eight groups.”

The full list of grants is:

• Isle of Wight Society for the Blind received £3,242 for a range of activities, including their project Be Wise to your Eyes, an education programme. Its aim is to educate every Isle of Wight primary school child in protecting their eyes and how they can help those already living with less vision.
• AIM Autism Inclusion Matters — an autistic-led charity, organised and ran by autistic adults. They were granted £500 for putting in bifold doors into a large group room to divide it into two during busier groups or drop-in sessions.
• Vectis Rugby Club (under 6s and 7s) received £500 towards new kit for its 40 members in this age group.
• Sandown Family Events were granted £500 for their Bringing Christmas Back to Sandown — A free event that was held on December 16 in the town.
• Embracing Age UK is a charity dedicated to improving lives of older people with a focus on those living within a care home setting. They received £500 towards their Christmas Box Project which enabled them to give every resident they have contact with a gift.
• St Mary`s Catholic Primary School, Ryde, are putting the £500 granted towards creating their Woodland Room and providing a safe sensory place.
• Revive Newport IW — This Christian centre/café will put the £500 towards a new dishwasher. This will enable the volunteers/team to have more opportunities to sit down and listen to people and offer support and sign posting.

St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School — £500 towards their Sensory Room, The Hive, to help with pupils’ emotional regulation.

Geoff Underwood, chair of WightAID trustees, said:

“Don’t forget you or your business can tax make tax-efficient donations to WightAID and, in turn, allow us to keep on giving to these incredible groups here on the Isle of Wight.”

If anyone is interested in becoming a donor or is a charity/organisation who would like to apply for a grant, visit www.wightaid.org/apply