The annual presentation of the Rye Fund took place at the town hall on Thursday 22 January with Mayor Andy Stuart presenting certificates to seven local community groups.
The Rye Fund, managed by Sussex Community Foundation, gives grants of up to £2,000 to non-profit groups, charities and community groups in Rye or within a 6-mile radius.
The Sussex Community Foundation is an independent charity which handles the applications for the grants and makes sure that they meet the charitable purpose of the fund. The final decision on grants is made by a panel drawn from members of the community in conjunction with the Foundation.
The audience, attended by members of the Rye Fund founders and steering group and the panel, along with Pete Jones of the Sussex Community Foundation, heard representatives explain what their awarded grants will be used for.
Pat Hughes from Rye and District Community Transport said that the grant will contribute to the cost of fuel, bus maintenance and towards the purchase of a replacement vehicle. She thanked the fund “for their fantastic support. I don’t know what we would do without it. It makes such a big difference to people who use the bus.” The service is “more than getting from A to B,” she said. “It is an emotional and practical support for people – they feel comfortable talking about how they feel and to share in celebrations such as weddings or new babies.” There is now a Rye Fund logo on their latest bus, she added.
The award to Hastings Advice and Representation Centre (HARC), which gives free welfare and benefit advice at Rye Foodbank, will be used to help fund the cost of a specialist advisor for 12 months. Teresa Andrews said, “This will enable us to continue to support people on welfare benefits and to help those who are not receiving the correct benefits. We are based in the foodbank and I am pleased that we can continue to work there – they are a great team and we work well together.”
Accepting the grant for Rye Bowls Club were Ian Scott and Roy Dyer who explained that, with Rother District Council no longer being involved, the club would be using the grant to repair and maintain the green, which has suffered from a lack of maintenance over the years. “Looking after the green is very technical and needs a high level of precision. We’ve all had to learn a lot about running the club. After years of falling membership, the club now has more members, with a change of ethos – it is more open, more inclusive.”
Helped by the grant, Rye Cricket Club can continue to look after the cricket Salts, Martin Blincow explained. “With Rother no longer maintaining the ground, we are now responsible for it. We need funds to cover materials and renovations, and train groundsmen. With advice from Rother and Rye Tennis Club we think it is in the best condition ever.”
Grants were also awarded to Family Support Network who support children and families in need with home visits offering advice on a range of services, debt management, SEND advice and parenting support. The Rye Rugby Football Club will use their money to install two new changing rooms and Winchelsea New Hall plan to renew and renovate their fire escape.
Applications for the Rye Fund will be open this autumn with applications made through the Sussex Community Foundation. The deadlines for that round have not been announced yet but applicants can sign up for a newsletter on their grants page at www.sussexcommunityfoundation.org to be kept abreast of all of their funding programmes and deadlines.
The Rye Fund’s ambition is to grow the fund so that they can distribute more to local community groups each year. You can donate to the Rye Fund here.
Image Credits: Juliet Duff .