Airport launches new Community Fund
Bournemouth Airport, in conjunction with Christchurch Borough Council, has today (23rd January 2008) launched a new Community Fund which is open to community, social, recreational and environmental groups within the Borough of Christchurch.
The Fund has four very clear objectives:
- To bring the community closer together through facilities for sport, recreation and other leisure time activities
- To offer environmental improvement and/or heritage conservation
- To improve awareness of environmental issues through environmental education
- To encourage and/or protect wildlife.
The Fund’s management committee is made up of three representatives from Christchurch Borough Council and one representative from Bournemouth Airport, and they will meet twice a year to award grants to eligible projects. Funding comes from Bournemouth Airport. In the first year the Fund will be worth £10,000 and this will steadily rise as passenger numbers at the airport increase.
Commenting on this important step forward for the airport, Christopher Cockroft, Finance Manager and Chair of the Bournemouth Airport Community Fund Management Committee said: “We are very conscious of our need to be part of the local community and to support projects which offer lasting benefit to all members of this community. The representatives from Christchurch Borough Council will bring important, local knowledge to the Community Fund and ensure that the money is used to the maximum benefit of local residents.”
Cllr Sally Derham Wilkes, Chairman of Christchurch Council’s Community Services Committee added: “We’re very grateful to the Airport for coming up with the funding for this wonderful community-based idea. I know there are a number of groups and organisations in the Borough who are crying out for a bit of money to purchase some important equipment or to get a project off the ground. We look forward to receiving some application forms so we can get the Community Fund off to a great start.”
Full details about the Bournemouth Airport Community Fund and an application form can be downloaded from the websites for Bournemouth Airport and Christchurch Borough Council: www.bournemouthairport.com and www.dorsetforyou.com
For more information contact:
Sally Windsor
Tel: 01202 364106 or 07768 444556
Email: sally.windsor@bournemouthairport.com