An appeal to local charities and good causes to bid for a share of up to £80,000 has resulted in 23 applications to the Isle of Wight Foundation.

Organisations were invited to apply for grants of between £3,000 and £16,000 to support projects which help tackle social exclusion on the Isle of Wight.

Since the Isle of Wight Foundation was established by Island Roads in 2013, more than £250,000 has been donated to local charities and community groups.

“We are delighted to have received so many applications, now we have the difficult task of selecting which ones meet the criteria for the foundation’s support. This is always a really tough job as there are so many worthy causes to choose from,” said Philip Horton, chair of the Isle of Wight Foundation.

“Over the summer our selection committee comprising representatives from Island Roads and a community representative will meet to draw up a shortlist of projects. We will then visit each organisation to gain a better understanding of their projects and how they meet our criteria of improving access to employment and building better communities.”

The foundation has supported 25 different projects to date, each year publishing a report detailing the positive impact each project has had on the Island’s community. The report detailing the work of the projects that were awarded funding in 2015-16 can be found on Island Roads’ website or collected from Island Roads at St Christopher House, Daish Way in Newport.

Groups awarded funding in 2017-18 included Isle of Wight Beach Soccer, Wight Horse Equine, St Catherine’s Speech and Language, Porchfield and Newtown Village Hall, Age UK Isle of Wight, The Bus Shelter, The Monday Group and The Wave Project.