Kayaking group “kept afloat” with funding boost
16th May 2024
A popular kayaking and canoe club in Burnham-on-Crouch has received a funding boost of £5,450 to expand its work.
Crouch Kayak Club was awarded the grant from the Turncole Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, which is managed by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
The Club has evolved significantly over the years, progressing from a just small group of local enthusiasts to become a vibrant club, welcoming newcomers and seasoned kayakers alike.
This funding boost has enabled the Club to buy Day Boats which are particularly useful for inexperienced paddlers, and to replace existing ageing accessories, including wet suits, paddles and safety equipment. They hope this will encourage people of all ages to visit the club and try out the sport to see if they like it, without the need to spend any money.
Andy Coppin, Equipment Officer at the Club, said: “For inexperienced paddlers, navigating the exposed River Crouch, especially with offshore winds in the Winter, can pose a challenge. These Day Boats offer an alternative for our members to stay active and for new people to have a go, as they are much more stable.
“They are also easier to transport at just 9 feet long, compared to sea kayaks which typically range from 16 to 18 feet. Our membership continues to grow, so these will really help us to meet demand.”
A small group took the new kayaks out for their maiden voyage on the River Stour from Bures to Nayland. Andy said: “We had a mix of beginners and ‘old hands’. After some of us spent the first few minutes gracefully spinning around in a circle, we soon all got the hang of it!
“The weather was perfect, the river was stunning, there was no road noise and we saw plenty of wildlife and birds, including kingfishers, ducks, geese and swans.
“We are so grateful to ECF and Turncole Wind Farm or helping us to acquire the new equipment. It will help people to have many happy days together, keeping fit, being outdoors and enjoying time on the water which is so peaceful and relaxing.”
The Turncole Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund was set up with ECF in 2016 to support charitable projects within the parishes of Southminster and Burnham on Crouch that are close to the Wind Farm development, and which enhance the quality of life for local residents and contribute to vibrant communities. A panel of residents work with ECF to make decisions on the applications for support. Since it was set up, the Fund has given 74 grants totalling over £340,000 to a wide range of local projects.
These include:
- £5,000 to Home-Start Essex to run a support group for families with pre-school children in Southminster.
- £3,000 to Dengie Dementia Cafe for their outreach work helping people with dementia and their families in the Dengie Peninsula.
- £2,040 to Burnham Allotment so they can organise art and craft sessions for local people, helping to tackle isolation and loneliness in the community of Burnham-on-Crouch.
Sandra Hollis is a trustee of ECF and Chair of the resident panel. She said, “It is important for us to work with the resident-led panel. We really value their knowledge and expertise to understand local issues and priorities and direct funding to where it is needed most.”
If you’re interested in joining the Crouch Kayak Club, Wednesdays are the perfect opportunity for you to drop by the Sailing Club for a chat and to try it out or you can contact them via www.crouchkayakclub.co.uk
For information about applying for an ECF grant, click here.
Galloper Wind Farm empowers local communities
21st September 2021
An allotment club for disabled people, financial support for families in crisis and a lunch club for older people are among five charitable projects in Harwich to receive support from the Galloper Wind Farm Community Fund.
The Fund, which was set up by RWE Renewables UK on behalf of the Galloper Wind Farm project, with the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF) in 2018, has to date distributed grants totalling over £39,000 to voluntary and community organisations working in Harwich and Tendring.
Sean Chenery, Galloper General Manager, said: “As a business, it is important that we support the communities where we work. We employ around 60 people at our base in Harwich, and many of them live locally so it is important to us that we give something back.
“Awarding grants to support charities and voluntary groups is just one way for us to show our commitment to the area and recognition of the valuable contribution that these organisations provide.
“We are pleased to be working with ECF who are helping us to direct our funds to where it will make a difference and where we can see that the money we give is contributing positively to the lives of local people.”
“The latest grants awarded are contributing to a wide range of support and activities that we hope will benefit all ages.”
The voluntary and community organisations benefiting from support this year are:
- Clacton Salvation Army receive £1,500 to employ a cook for their lunch club which runs three times a week and feeds over 100 older people.
- Market Field Farm, which provides training opportunities for young people with learning disabilities, Autism and mental health issues, receive £1,710 for a new gardening project to help their members gain employment skills.
- Salvation Army Harwich receive £2,000 for their work providing financial support to families who are experiencing food and fuel poverty.
- Teen Talk (Harwich) receive £1,000 to help them with the cost of providing free, confidential information and support to local people aged 11-25.
Parkeston Residents and Welfare Park Association are also receiving £1,000 to start a new gardening and allotment club, which will be accessible to those with disabilities.
Bill Davidson, chairman of the group, said: “Being outdoors and growing flowers or vegetables is a great way to improve and support positive mental health and wellbeing, especially after so many months of coping with the pandemic.
“We are so pleased to receive this funding. It will help us to create a wonderful space that will be accessible for everyone, including those in wheelchairs. Hopefully, it will encourage people to get up and out of the house, meet friends and socialise, which is so important.
“We want the allotment to be somewhere that people can get away from the stresses of life and work together with a shared sense of pride and achievement. Members can use the produce we grow and hopefully there will also be enough for us to use at our very successful dining club.”
If you or your company would like to support local charities, please get in touch with ECF to discuss the different ways they can help you.
ECF is also running a matched challenge for donations to its Acorn Fund which supports local charities in Essex. For every £2 donated, £1 will be added. Give online.
For more information about how to apply a grant, click here or call 01245 356018.