London Gatwick awards £30,000 to good causes in Kent

Kent community groups were celebrating this week as London Gatwick announced the recipients of £30,000 from the third round of the London Gatwick Foundation Fund, across Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks.

The five good causes which benefitted from a financial boost were Paddock Wood Community Advice Centre with £10,000, Tunbridge Wells and District Volunteer Bureau and Community Car Service also with £10,000, Sevenoaks Samaritans received £5,000, while Tonbridge Baptist Church benefitted from £3,000 for day coach trips and finally Tonbridge Lions Club now has £2,000 to spend on supermarket food vouchers for local families.

The London Gatwick Foundation Fund was set up in 2016 to award funding to local groups that work to fight social isolation and tackle disadvantage, raise aspirations and develop skills, improve health and wellbeing, and support children and young people.

Alison Addy, head of external engagement and policy, from London Gatwick, said: “The London Gatwick Foundation fund has helped hundreds of groups since it was founded. It always gives us so much joy to find out how our funding has helped to make people’s lives better.”

Lorraine Ash, regional manager at The Tunbridge Wells and District Volunteer Bureau said: “We fully rely on securing independent funding from various sources to continue to serve the community. “We are extremely grateful for the donation from the London Gatwick Foundation Fund. “The funds will be used towards the cost of providing an office and all the utilities needed to keep the door open and continue to serve our community. “The main service that our charity provides is safe, reliable, affordable transport for vulnerable, disabled and elderly people.”

Jane Rigney, service director at Sevenoaks Samaritans, added: “We are delighted to have been chosen by the London Gatwick Foundation Fund and cannot thank you enough for choosing to support Sevenoaks Samaritans.

“This grant will allow us to spend more time growing and supporting our team of enthusiastic volunteers, ensuring that we can uphold our commitment to being there for everyone who needs us, whenever they need us. We couldn’t do this without you.”

The London Gatwick Foundation Fund is managed on behalf of London Gatwick in Kent by the Kent Community Foundation.

For more information visit: www.gatwickairport.com/company/community/ funding