Charitable organisations across Kent are among a diverse range of good causes sharing a £20,000 bounty from South East Water's Community Chest Fund.
The drinking water supplier received more than 130 applications from across its supply area, which includes Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Sussex and Kent.
The projects chosen include 12th St John's Scout Troop(opens in a new tab), Ashford St Mary’s Parent Staff Association(opens in a new tab), Baby Umbrella(opens in a new tab), Communigrow(opens in a new tab), Henry Peters Trust - Snodland Hub(opens in a new tab) and Rising Sun Domestic Violence & Abuse service(opens in a new tab). Grants of between £500 and £2000 have been awarded to the six organisations.
The decision on the successful applicants was taken by a panel of seven South East Water employees from all parts of the business, but all with an interest in raising money for good causes.
12th St John’s Scout Group in Tunbridge Wells will be using the grant to create a new, green-roofed storage unit topped with a living garden. This space will not only house essential camping and activity equipment, but will also become an educational and ecological asset for the Scouts and the wider community.
Ashford St Mary’s Parent Staff Association plans to purchase and install an outdoor wooden water wall for use in its OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) and out of classroom provisions. This new resource will provide engaging, hands-on learning opportunities for all pupils and is designed to support the national curriculum, particularly for early years.
Baby Umbrella, operating in Otford, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, provides free support to local Kent families during the first 1,000 days of a baby’s life, a critical period for lifelong health and wellbeing. The Community Chest Fund grant will help support its programme of early years support in the West Kent area.
Improving and expanding its wildlife pond is the focus for Communigrow in East Malling, who will be using the grant to ensure there is more space for wildlife to thrive. It will enable the organisation to increase the number of children and young people who are able to enjoy its pond dipping and conservation education sessions.
Henry Peters Trust – Snodland Hub will be using the grant money received towards expanding its current community food bank facilities.
The South East Water grant will be used by Rising Sun Domestic Violence & Abuse Service in Canterbury to support its counselling service for children and young people aged 5-18 who have been impacted by domestic abuse.
Tanya Sephton, Customer Services Director, South East Water said: “With a high volume of applications received this year, our judging panel had difficult decisions to make.
“The projects chosen cover a broad range of good causes that needed a little extra financial help to make a difference.
“The funding provided by our Community Chest will breathe life into these initiatives, creating a genuinely positive impact on the communities they benefit.”
To view the full list of this year’s winners, visit southeastwater.co.uk/communitychest
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