Skipton Community Fund's giving exceeds the £100k milestone

Skipton International is proud to reveal that its Skipton 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 smaller 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 Manager for Skipton International, said: “From the start the Skipton Community Fund has been an overwhelming success, allowing us to meet a wider range of the 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 similar programmes 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 living with dementia. It has also assisted the Accidental Zoo launch their ‘Thrive Outside’ event for primary schools where children are given the opportunity for close interaction with animals to aid their education.

Charlotte Le Guiltier of the Accidental Zoo said: “As a new charity, support from organisations such as Skipton is vital in getting our venture off the ground and putting on the very best events we can. Their assistance allowed us to host an animal related craft activity as part of the Thrive Outside visit, encouraging creativity and hopefully inspiring our next generation to focus on the protection of animals.”

The Skipton Community Fund is open to applications for grants up to £1,500 per project. Further details and the full application process can be found here