Funding totalling £33,000 to support community initiatives

A total of £33,000 will be shared between eight local charities and community groups in East Herts, Uttlesford, and Harlow as part of the latest round of grants from Stansted Airport Community Fund (SACF).

The SACF offers grants of up to £5,000 to projects aimed at improving community life, the environment and conservation within a 10-mile radius of the airport.

The independent committee representing local authorities and airport stakeholders meets quarterly to discuss applicants and decide how the funds will be distributed.

Among the organisations receiving grants this quarter are:

•         Church Langley Community Association – Harlow - £5,000 – chairs.

•         St Mary Magdalene Church – Harlow - £3,500 – flooring.

•         Brightview Farm – Uttlesford - £5,000 – learning resources

•         Hunsdon Parish Council – East Herts - £5,000 – football goals, decorating costs, storage area.

•         St Mary's Church, Great Dunmow – Uttlesford - £5,000 – trolley.

•         Radwinter Bowls Club – Uttlesford - £3,684 – roof replacement.

•         Little Canfield Community Gardens and Allotment Association – Uttlesford - £1,380 – kids gardening equipment.

•         Albury Village Hall – East Herts - £5,000 – sports equipment

Chair of the Community Fund, Daniel Burford, said:

“Congratulations to all the successful applicants in the latest round of Community Fund donations. Since we relaunched the fund in 2023, the SACF has been privileged to award more than £350,000 worth of grants to 60 local charities and not-for-profit organisations. One of the great things about SACF is how often local organisations can apply for funding. We have already opened the next phase of our community award funding for 2024. We have made the application process as simple as possible but we’re happy to offer help to any groups who may be interested in applying. We know that organisations continue to face huge challenges and grant funding like this is more important than ever.”

The Little Canfield Community Gardens and Allotment Association received £1,380 to buy outdoor play equipment, including a mud kitchen and gardening tools. The organisation's Community Liaison Manager, Lucy Dowsett, said:

“We are so grateful for the SACF's funding, which will enable us to purchase new play equipment for children, including a mud kitchen and small gardening tools, which we hope to have in place for the Easter holiday. This new equipment will provide the children with a safe and secure place to play and learn outdoors. It will also provide an opportunity for the children to explore their creativity and practice their social and communication skills. We are very excited to be able to provide this opportunity for the children in the village. Our gardens and allotments have brought so many community members together, and we are looking forward to extending the facility and arranging more events and activities for the village."

A successful planning application for the airport to handle up to 43 million passengers per year led to the SACF being relaunched in January 2023 to provide further support to the local community.

The airport will contribute £1.5 million over the next decade to the fund which will be topped up with fines levied against airlines for violating noise regulations. A one-off flagship award of up to £50,000 is also presented by the fund each year.

The SACF will open applications for the next round of funding in early April. You can find details on how to apply here or email community@stanstedairport.com