£100,000 donated to charities by Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport has donated £100,000 to charities and local community groups over the past year, with an increased fund returning for 2023.

The airport’s Community Fund ensures communities benefit from its activities by providing financial support to community groups and charities committed to improving opportunities, facilities and services available to local people.

Next year’s total funding will increase to £140,000.

The fund prioritises applications relating to the airport’s Greater Good sustainability strategy with funding being allocated to projects relating to the four pillars within the strategy: Zero Carbon, Enhancing Scotland, Scotland’s Best Business and Trusted Neighbour. 

Thirty-three groups across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fie and Stirling shared the funding, with £11,570 also going to the airport’s corporate charity partner, The Larder.

• £33,473 went to Trusted Neighbour projects such as Common Ground Against Homelessness to help furnish nine new permanent homes in Craigmillar

• £24,607 went to Zero Carbon projects such as for Whitburn Junior FC to purchase battery storage for solar panels installed on the club’s changing rooms to capture and use the electricity generated, reducing bills and emissions

• £15,737 went to Scotland’s Best Business projects such as Hyperclub in Dunfermline to help the renovation of a facility to support local children with additional needs, helping to complete construction of a disabled changing room and community restrooms

• £14,611 went to Enhancing Scotland projects such as Love Gorgie Farm in Edinburgh to introduce a polytunnel, a gazebo for use as an outdoor classroom, an interactive soundboard and a children’s mud kitchen

Gordon Robertson, Director of Communications and Sustainability said:

“Helping our local community groups and charities and sharing the benefits of the airport is something we really believe in. People working within their own communities are often those who require the most assistance to make small changes which contribute to the greater good and we’re honoured to play a small part in that.

“We hope next year’s increased fund will encourage more groups to come forward and apply for assistance as we all look towards a more sustainable future.”

Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton is the chair of the Community Fund and said:

“Local groups are the foundation of communities across the area and the work that they do has wide ranging impacts for those who need them, be that for leisure, learning or respite. They are sometimes the unsung heroes and it is those groups that need most support in difficult times.

“Allocating funding to assist sustainability projects means we can all continue to play our part locally and nationally and it is encouraging that organisations like Edinburgh Airport are aware of the need to share the benefits of their business. The increase in funding for 2023 is welcome and I hope more groups will apply to receive critical support.”

Angela Moohan, Chief Executive of The Larder said: "It has been a pleasure working with the airport team over the past year, as their charity of the year. The team have supported our business planning as well as making much needed financial donations, in what has been a difficult year.  

“These financial donations have supported over 160 young people to reach their full potential and provide food with dignity for over 500 children and adults. We look forward to developing our partnership in 2023.”

Background

Applications for the Community Fund will reopen in January and more information can be found here: https://corporate.edinburghairport.com/community/edinburgh-airport-community-fund

Edinburgh Airport’s Greater Good sustainability strategy can be accessed here: https://corporate.edinburghairport.com/sustainability