A record 109k donated to local charities through the 2023 Port of Dover Community Fund

Nine years since the Port launched its Community Fund through the Kent Community Foundation, the largest amount of annual funding was announced in May 2023, with £109,000 being rolled out to inspirational causes in the Dover area.

This year’s donations focus on supporting mental health and life enhancing services for all age groups, encouraging art and creativity within a diverse range of communities, and providing financial support for families during the cost-of-living crisis. Eight charities have now been announced as the latest beneficiaries (below), with some funding reserved for the end of the year to enable continued support for new and upcoming initiatives.

• Age Concern Dover – The Riverside Centre
• Carers’ Support East Kent – The Connecting Carers Wellbeing Programme
• Dover Big Local CIC – for a new Job Club Leader
• Dover smART Project – for a new Wellbeing Co-Ordinator
• Dover Vineyard Church – refurbishing the Beehive Dover building
• Home-Start Dover – supporting two family groups
• Pegasus Playscheme, for a summer programme for children with additional needs
• South Kent Mind, for a Wellbeing Activities Co-Ordinator

Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation said:

 “Kent Community Foundation is committed to improving the lives of local people and communities, particularly the most vulnerable, isolated, and disadvantaged by matching those who want to help, with those who need the help.

We are delighted to have been administering funding from the Port of Dover Fund since 2014 and their unwavering support for the local community has enabled us to award over £1 million to good causes from their fund.”

Since the Port of Dover Community Fund began in 2014, it has enriched the social, cultural, and environmental life of our community, breaking down barriers to help create equal opportunities during some of the most challenging times.

Last year, the Fund surpassed £1 million, which also included a special £40,000 fund to help organisations navigate through the pandemic in 2020.

The panel will meet again in November to allocate the remaining funds.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• The Port of Dover is closing the gap every day between the UK and the world by connecting trade, travel, visitors and communities locally-globally, collaborating with local and international partners to create a more seamless, sustainable and tech-enabled port.
• As the UK’s busiest international ferry port and a vital gateway for the movement of people and trade, Dover handles £144 billion of trade per year, 33% of UK trade in goods with the EU and welcomes over 11 million passengers.
• Dover is also an award-winning cruise port, delivering world class travel and visitor experiences to the most prestigious cruise lines. With a growing and diversifying cargo business operating from state-of-the-art facilities, a brand-new marina which is a major feature of the exciting waterfront development, and opportunities for further expansion in the future, Dover’s proud history dating back 400 years has a new modern twist.