Chandlers Building Supplies in Margate and the Thanet Extra have been running the Community Fund project for the past year, which aims to help and support local charities, projects and organisations.

 

The Chandlers team gave something back to the community last year by giving away £500 every month to local organisations that needed a bit of help.

 

Reflections Support group for the blind were December’s winners and rounded up this year’s Community Fund.

 

This year’s winners were:

To launch the campaign Chandlers gave away £1,000 and our first winner back in March was the Sea Cadets, who used the money to help pay for building improvements and as a fund for general bills. Jeff Kirkpatrick, the chairman of the top cadet unit in the country in Broadstairs, commented: “We were very fortunate to win the Community Fund, I don’t know how we would have survived without it. It is easier to get grants for capital but you can never get any money for bills such as redecorating and heating. We were desperate.”

 

 

The next winner in April was Star Stage School who decided to use the £500 to buy some beautiful costumes for their show. Never before had the school had the funds to provide costumes especially for a show and so the kids were thrilled. The costumes were inspired by Strictly Come Dancing, covered in sequins and are being reused for a charity show this January.

In May St Ethelbert’s Catholic Primary School took home the money, which they used to build a garden for the children at the school. They also bought plants and tools to help towards the gardening. The next step is to set up a gardening club at the school. John Letts, the Head Teacher, told us: “The children purchased a garden shed, children’s tools to go inside and made a Rosary Garden,” the school is very grateful.

 

Thanet Disabled Riding School won the £500 in June. The centre caters for people with mental and physical disabilities and ages range between 2 and 40 years. They used the money for costs at the centre including looking after the horses, general maintenance at the stables and riding equipment for the children that use the centre.

 

The £500 that was given to EKUBS in July has gone towards new mammography digital equipment for the local hospital. Alongside Cancer Care EKUBS are looking to raise £385,000 for new mammography machines and Chandlers are pleased they have been able to put some money towards this. 

 

Last winter St Laurence Parish Hall suffered severe damage to their roof as a result of all the wind and rain so they were able to use the money from Chandlers towards roofing and ceiling repairs. This means that the community can continue to use the hall for things such as children’s play groups, keep fit classes, the OAP lunch club, the OAP Acorn Club and the Rate Payer Association. It will also continue to be used by the council at elections times as well as by the community for weddings and other social functions.

Still Waters, a non-profit counselling centre in Margate, won the money in September. Paul Hudson, from the management team, told us: “Still Waters provides counselling for anybody who needs it, regardless of ability to pay.  To this end, the £500 has helped us provide that counselling help, particularly in these difficult financial times. The majority of clients pay less than half the amount we need to cover costs. We are so thankful for this award as we continually seek to meet the needs in our community.”

 

After winning in October the Windmill Allotment Project used their winnings to keep the project going and staffed. They also needed new hand tools for the children that were both easy and safe. Since meeting Chandlers they have been able to run two events for their Cabbage Patch Parent and Toddler Group; Diwali candle making, and hay raking.

 

Reflections Support Group for the Blind, December’s winners, plan to use the £500 towards the rent for the hall where they meet. It is a club for the visually impaired and members are able to mix with others with similar sights problems giving them an opportunity to have a 'normal' life, rather than living in isolation like so many do.

 

John Galer, Branch Director at Chandlers commented:

“It has been so nice to be able to help so many charities over the past year and allow so many communities to carry on running. I look forward to doing more of the same in the future.”

Charities and groups can nominate themselves for 2011 by writing to Chandlers Thanet Community Fund, c/o PMW Communications, Stane Court, Stane Street, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9HP or by emailing chandlersthanet@pmwcom.co.uk.