Glasgow Airport’s FlightPath Fund awarded more than £140,000 in 2018 to help support 83 charities and community groups in Renfrewshire, Glasgow, East and West Dunbartonshire.
Representatives from community groups and charities to benefit from FlightPath Fund support in 2018 were joined by local politicians, Glasgow Airport managing director Mark Johnston and members of his senior management team at a celebratory event held at the Tannahill Centre.
The Tannahill Centre in Ferguslie Park was the recipient of the Fund’s £25,000 lump sum award last year and the money was used to refurbish the popular community hub’s café. A further £25,000 lump sum is set to be awarded to a group or charity from one of the four local authority areas, taking this year’s FlightPath Fund awards total to £165,000.
Established in 2010, the FlightPath Fund was set up to provide grant assistance to local organisations working in and around the airport community. Since its inception, the fund has given £1.5 million in donations to over 550 charities and community groups with a focus on improving education and employment, as well as the environment.
The FlightPath Fund committee operates independently of the airport and is chaired by former KPMG senior partner, Archie Hunter. The committee meets every two months and also consists of an elected member or representative from each of the four council areas under the flight path.
Funding awards by area are as follows:
- £63,000 was awarded to 36 Renfrewshire-based groups this year including the Ride 63. The community cycle group, based in Castle Semple Visitor Centre in Lochwinnoch, received £1234 to purchase a mobile hoist to help give disabled members access to a range of adaptive cycles. A further £3000 was also awarded to allow its volunteer organisers to upgrade the bike tracks in the country park and the wider Parkhill woodland area.
- More than £20,000 was awarded to a dozen Glasgow-based groups this year including the Antonine Court, which was given £2210 to purchase two new sets of tonechimes used in therapeutic music sessions.
- £30,000 was awarded to a 23 East Dunbartonshire-based groups this year including the Caldwell Halls Trust, which received £2500 to upgrade the flooring of the popular community hub’s main hall.
- £33,000 has been awarded to 18 West Dunbartonshire-based groups this year including Dynamite Gymnastics, which was given £5000 to upgrade the club’s rebound equipment and invest in new safety and carpet roll mats.
Archie Hunter, chairman of the FlightPath Fund, said: “Glasgow Airport’s FlightPath Fund has been a force for good throughout its neighbouring communities for more than eight years now and continues to support hundreds of charities and groups across four local authorities.
“I’m pleased to say this year has been exceptional with the FlightPath Fund providing vital support to a diverse range of organisations including young carer groups, primary and secondary school projects, community sports and improvement groups and charities helping some of the most vulnerable people in society.
“Ride 63, Antonine Court, Caldwell Halls Trust and Dynamite Gymnastics are fine examples of the projects supported by the FlightPath Fund and the work being carried out by each organisation is fantastic.
“Our end of year event gave committee members the opportunity to meet with representatives from the groups to benefit from the fund. It was most pleasing to speak to these people who are both passionate about the work they do and grateful for the support received from the FlightPath Fund.
”Special mention must also go to Glasgow Airport, for which none of the good work represented here today would be possible without its continued commitment. Managing director Mark Johnston and his team continue to be the FlightPath Fund’s biggest champions and we are grateful for their support.”
To apply for support from the Fund visit the FlightPath Fund tab on the home page of this site.