An outdoor therapy group, a life-saving charity and a sports ground are among seven organisations sharing almost £30,000 from Stansted Airport Community Fund’s (SACF) latest round of donations.
The independent committee representing local authorities and airport stakeholders offers grants of up to £5,000 to projects aimed at improving community life, the environment and conservation within a 10-mile radius of the airport.
Daniel Burford, Community Engagement Manager and Chairperson of the SACF, said:
“The Stansted Airport Community Fund is delighted to have awarded nearly £30,000 in grants to seven fantastic local projects which have been chosen because of the positive impact they will have on the local community and the environment. Congratulations to them all, and I would encourage other groups to apply when we open the application process for the next round of funding on October 2. It is inspiring to see the excellent work being done by so many organisations in the communities surrounding the airport and we will continue to support as many of them as possible through the Community Fund.”
Grants were awarded to the following organisations:
• BASICS Essex – accident and rescue service – display trailer – £5,000
• Butterfly Effect Wellbeing, Harlow – furniture and new garden – £5,000
• Youngwilders CIC, Saffron Walden – deer fencing, educational boards – £5,000
• Plant Pots & Wellies, Harlow – solar energy system – £4,992
• Radwinter Recreation Ground – absorber panels – £3,700
• Gilston and Eastwick Village Hall – chairs, trolleys, folding tables – £3,679
• Community Initiative Bishop’s Stortford – projector, screen, football pop-up nets, hockey gear – £384
Harlow charity Plant Pots and Wellies, which provides outdoor therapy to children and adults with additional needs on its allotment, received £4,992 to help fund a solar energy system on its tea shed roof.
Rowen Saunders, Director of Plant Pots and Wellies, said:
“We are delighted with the donation, and it will make a huge difference to us. Money from the grant will be used to install solar panels on our allotment tea shed. This will enable us to continue working on our craft projects when the darker evenings arrive and to charge up our batteries for our tools, in an environmentally friendly manner. The money will also be used to purchase a defibrillator that will be stored on site. As we have a variety of health conditions, a portable defib will offer us peace of mind and ensure we can handle any situation.”
Harlow councillor, David Carter, said:
“Plant Pots and Wellies is an exciting community group that provides opportunities for adults and children to enjoy gardening as a therapy for better health. I am delighted that Stansted Airport Community Fund is supporting this wonderful initiative.”
A grant of £385.00 was awarded to Community Initiative in Bishop’s Stortford for equipment to use with wellbeing and health workshops.
A projector was purchased with the money to be used at the Happy Camps held during the school summer holidays. “This has helped immensely with games and nutrition learning,” said Jacqui Smith, from the charity.
Founded in 2005, the SACF is part of a section 106 planning requirement and has donated over £1 million pounds to hundreds of organisations.
Following the airport’s successful planning application to serve up to 43 million passengers a year, it was relaunched in January 2023 to reinforce its ties and provide further support to the local community.
Over the next decade, the airport will contribute £1.5 million to the fund, which will be topped up from fines levied against airlines who violate noise regulations.
A one-off flagship award of up to £50,000 is also presented by the fund each year. Applicants for the next round of funding are invited for both the flagship and the community award.
For more information visit https://www.stanstedairport.com/community/community-support/community-funds/ or email [email protected]
