Touchpoint, a community wellbeing charity in Stansted Mountfitchet has received a £50,000 grant from Stansted Airport Community Fund (SACF).
Touchpoint was granted the flagship award after submitting a successful application to the airport's fund which supports local charities and community groups.
The funds will be used to renovate the charity's building in the village, including updating electrics, toilets, and replacing walls so it can continue serving the community for years to come.
The donation was marked at a special event at the Stansted Exchange Friday, January 11.
Kemi Badenoch MP for the Saffron Walden constituency, said:
“It was a privilege to join Touchpoint, Stansted Airport and residents to mark this award from the airport’s community fund.
“Touchpoint are providing vital support for local communities in Uttlesford. The cafe and gardens in Stansted serve as a hub for residents and I’m pleased this award will allow the charity to further grow and expand their services.”
Paul Chamber, founder and chair of Touchpoint, said:
“We are delighted that Stansted Airport Community Fund has chosen to support us through their Flagship Fund. Our current premises are operating at capacity and desperately need updating. This award is a vital contribution to our project to enable us to return an adjacent community building to public use and significantly enhance the services that we offer. We see this as a game changing moment for our charity and its future sustainability.”
Gareth Powell, London Stansted Airport’s Managing Director, said:
“Part of being a good neighbour is giving back to our local community and bringing lasting benefit to those most impacted by the airport’s operations. The Stansted Airport Community Fund is one such way that we do this, offering grants to local community groups and charitable organisations. We have committed an annual contribution of £150,000 to the fund between now and 2029 and this is topped up with any fines for noisy or off-track aircraft. The Fund is open year-round for community awards, offering grants of up to £5,000 as well as an annual flagship grant of £50,000. It is my pleasure, with our local MP, to see this flagship grant being given to Touchpoint, which I know is a well-regarded organisation that supports the community through the wide range of services that it offers, as well as serving as a hub for many other community groups to use as well.”
Touchpoint was also awarded a grant of over £33,000 from Central Government's Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund (CCLF).
The CCLF is part of the £101.5 million package of support for charities and community organisations as announced by the Chancellor in the last Spring Budget. It aims to support those under pressures because of the increased cost of living.
