The London Stansted Community Fund has awarded its final round of grants for the financial year, handing out £79,800 to 32 community groups across Essex and Hertfordshire.
The latest funding brings the total donated by the Fund in the last 12 months to £240,000, supporting 80 local organisations ranging from youth groups and sports clubs to heritage projects and charities.
The Fund, which operates independently of the airport, supports projects within ten miles of the airport, focusing on improving facilities, supporting volunteers, and backing schemes that benefit local residents.
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 breach noise regulations.
Groups receiving funding this quarter include youth organisations, village halls, sports clubs, churches and charities working directly with vulnerable people.
Highlights from this funding round include:
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Olivers Lodge Youth Club CIC (£5,000) – Games and activity equipment for young people.
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SA Foundation CIC (£5,000) – Sports equipment for its Active Futures programme.
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Saffron Walden Community Youth Sports Hub (£4,779) – New goal posts and netball posts as part of a refurbishment of the multi-games pitch.
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Bishop’s Stortford Foodbank (£4,435) – Storage solutions, furniture and access improvements.
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Great Dunmow Air Training Corps 999 Squadron (£4,302) – Laptops to upgrade learning and development facilities.
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Braintree Hockey Club (£1,953) – Equipment and clothing.
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Roots2Success CIC (£3,010) – Training equipment.
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Harlow Steelband (£1,720) – Gazebo, flags & performance equipment.
Chair of the Trust, Maggie Sutton, said:
“This has been an exceptional year for the Fund, with a record number of applications highlighting the incredible work happening across our communities. We’re proud to support organisations making a real difference every day, from improving local spaces to helping charities care for those who need it most.”
Steve Fisk, Roots2Succes CIC in Bishop’s Stortford, said:
“The £3,010 grant from the Community Fund will make a real difference to the young people we support at Roots2Success CIC. It allows us to create a safe, supportive space where they can build confidence and start to believe in themselves, many for the first time. This isn’t just equipment, it’s opportunity and a chance for young people to see what they’re capable of.”
Rachael Leedham, Braintree Hockey Club said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Stansted Community Fund for this generous support, which is already making a real difference to our junior players. The funding has helped kit out a young goalkeeper and improve our training sessions with new equipment, giving more children the chance to develop their skills in a fun and supportive environment.”
