Skipton International’s Community Fund has now assisted local charities and community organisations with financial support exceeding the £100,000 milestone.
The Community Fund was established just over three years ago as a way of helping lesser known charities and not-for-profit groups access funding that would make a big difference to their projects and to the wider community in the Bailiwick. To date the Fund has helped 117 projects across the Channel Islands with an annual pot of £30,000, plus an unprecedented additional sum of £10,000 which was given to those organisations most impacted during the Covid pandemic.
Aaron Walden, Commercial Director for Skipton International, said: “From the start the Skipton Community Fund has been an overwhelming success, allowing us to meet a wider range of our community who are looking to do great and inspiring things on the island. We aimed our approach to projects that may not have previously received corporate or States funding, and where a little support goes a long way.
“There is an incredible culture of giving within the island and making a difference can start with really small steps. Our hope is that the Fund encourages more corporate organisations to employ a similar programme and together, with an emphasis on giving back, we can all make Guernsey somewhere we are really proud to live and work.”
Recently the Skipton Community Fund has lent its support to the Adult Mental Health Team at the Corbiere Ward, helping them create a sensory garden for those with living with dementia. It has also assisted the Accidental Zoo launch their ‘Thrive Outside’ event for primary schools where children were given the opportunity for close interaction with animals to aid their education.
Charlotte Le Guilcher of the Accidental Zoo said: “As a new charity, support from organisations such as Skipton is invaluable to us, as we strive to bring learning alive for school children. Their assistance allowed us to host an animal related craft activity as part of the ‘Thrive Outside’ visit, encouraging creativity and inspiring our next generation to develop a lifelong respect and love of animals.”
The Skipton Community Fund is open to applications for grants up to £1,500 per project. Click here for further details and the full application process.
The photo shows, from left to right, Charlotte Guilcher from the Accidental Zoo, Snake (name unknown), Kelly Gaudion, volunteer from Skipton International, Melissa Morellec, volunteer from Skipton International, and a young visitor from a local school.
