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The Fishbourne Sailability Club on the Isle of Wight is celebrating this week thanks to a new ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Solent initiative to put the spark into communities across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Dorset.

The Community Chest on Katie Martin's Afternoon Show matchmakes community groups with local philanthropists looking to make a difference across the region.

The charitable trusts behind the Community Chest will award £1,000 of grants a week to groups that need cash for the little things that can make a big difference where they live.

Each week an independent adjudicator known as the 'Grand Judge', because she's got a 'grand' to hand out, shortlists three projects. These are announced during Katie's Monday afternoon programme. Katie is then challenged to find out more about these projects before the Grand Judge announces how this week's grant will be spent on the Friday afternoon.

Fishbourne Sailability Club was awarded £400 to help towards the provision of a support and safety boat for their disabled sailors.

Speaking on Katie's programme Brian Gay from Fishbourne Sailability Club said: "It's marvellous news. It will make a big difference. We are on the way to the sort of money we have to raise to buy a RIB and this will make a big difference to us reaching the final total. I can't wait to tell our members – they will be absolutely delighted."

The other two groups shortlisted by the Grand Judge will also get a helping hand. The Triangle pre-school in Winchester, which is run by community volunteers, many from low income families, will benefit from £300 to help fund some large-scale play equipment

And in Portsmouth, the Groundlings Theatre Company will be able to help 10-16 year olds in Portsea learn new skills and connect with their local community by making their own film entitled Pride In Portsea with their grant of another £300.

Said Katie: "We've had a fantastic week hearing about all the good works these groups are doing to help keep their communities together and to benefit local people, young and old.

"I am really looking forward to bringing our listeners more tales of how people are doing their bit to help improve life where they live. So if you've been busy making a difference and trying to put an extra spark into your community, let us know!"

Groups can download an application for the Community Chest via the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Solent website bbc.co.uk/solent. These are then passed on to the Grand Judge for consideration. The Grand Judge and the trusts are completely independent of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Solent has no input into the grant decisions.

Notes to Editors

Those funding the Community Chest have requested that they remain anonymous.

Applications can be accepted from voluntary and community groups, organisations and societies or even individuals who want to benefit their community.

Registered charities and schools are also eligible to apply, but it's not essential to be a formally constituted group.

Activities will be funded across the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Solent region (the southern parts of Hampshire and Dorset plus the whole of the Isle of Wight). The money available through the Community Chest aims to help people build stronger and more active communities.

Examples might include: the purchase of equipment eg computers, furniture or sports equipment; the cost of putting on a local event or workshop; or additional activities to develop an existing project.

The adjudicator is given absolute discretion in short-listing and awarding grants and is simply encouraged where possible to support a variety of different activities; activities from a variety of eligible locations; and activities that may offer inspiration to others, showing for example how obstacles can be overcome or how community spirit can be enhanced.

The project cannot fund:

• Grants for the benefit of one individual
• Medical research or hospitals
• Churches or other religious bodies where the monies will be used for religious purpose
• Work where there is statutory responsibility to provide funding
• Profit-making organisations

HB