It’s back – your chance to get £50,000
12 July 2012
It is back. For the second year in a row, Aberdeen Airport Community Fund has confirmed it is giving one lucky charity or group the chance to win a staggering £50,000 donation.
Known as the Trust Challenge Fund, groups from right around the area are being invited to apply for this unique community grant, which could see them scoop the jackpot to make their dreams come true.
The central grant making charity BAA Communities Trust, who provides the funding to support Aberdeen Airport’s charitable work, has released a special round of cash. Local community groups or charities are being invited to apply, explaining exactly what they would do with £50,000 to make a community dream come true.
From there, the best of the North-east projects will be picked and taken forward to a meeting of the main board of Trustees, for an independent final decision on which project qualifies to scoop the massive cheque.
Last year, the Trust Challenge winners were the VSA, for their work at Easter Anguston Farm and a specific project to renovate and revamp their educational facilities. Karen Barlow is their Director of Fundraising and Communications. “We were absolutely delighted to receive the £50,000 donation from the BAA Communities Trust. With this money we were able to undertake a number of projects at our Easter Anguston Farm service; a training centre for adults with assisted needs which is also a visitor centre, garden centre and café. The projects we have undertaken will not only improve the working conditions for our trainees but will also improve quality for the many visitors to the Farm each year, including a large number of nursery and school groups. Traditional forms of fundraising for these projects would have taken a considerable amount of time. This donation has enabled us to make improvements to our service this year which we are thrilled by.”
Sarah Campbell chairs the Airport Community Panel. She explained some of the selection criteria. “The Aberdeen panel tend to favour projects that have strong environmental, employment or educational benefits” she said. “The more innovative your ideas the better. We want to hear about detailed one-off initiatives that this donation could help fund or support, really taking the opportunity to make a dream come true for your users or your community.”
Applying for this unique opportunity couldn’t be easier. Charities and groups are being asked to email Aberdeen_communityfund@baa.com to request an application form. Applications must be completed and returned to this address by no later than Monday 13th August. The winner will be announced later in the year.
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