Airport Operator commits £50,000 for Community Trust Fund in 2012
Published: 23 February 2012
The operator of London Luton Airport has committed to a further £50,000 for its Community Trust Fund in 2012. Established in 2009, the fund was set up to provide support for local community initiatives that positively contribute towards the aims and objectives of the Airport’s Community Engagement Strategy.
This year’s fund is open to applications from groups in Luton, Stevenage, Central Bedfordshire, North Hertfordshire, Aylesbury Vale and St Albans district - which includes Harpenden. The fund is independently administered by Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation and grants are awarded by its Grants Panel which undertakes monitoring and evaluation to ensure the grants deliver significant impact in the social, environmental and economic life of the community.
In 2011 the £50K Community Trust Fund continued to make a valuable contribution to the local community. 43 grants were made, supporting a range of local charities and community organisations.
Since 2009 £131,000 has been distributed to 101 groups. The Foundation has calculated that there have been over 4,800 direct beneficiaries and over 97,800 indirect beneficiaries of the scheme. The fund seeks to support the long term prosperity of the local community and we are pleased that 67% of groups have stated a grant from the Trust Fund has helped their long term sustainability.
Local youth homeless charity LAMP was one of the groups that received funding in 2011. Karen Rabjohn from the charity said "Lamp would like to sincerely thank London Luton Airport for supporting their football team. A homeless young person often feels isolated and alone, their self esteem and motivation is at rock bottom. This compounded with financial restrictions and cultural differences often mean that many LAMP clients who want to participate in sport, and particularly football, are excluded from doing so. The LAMP football team allows these young men to feel included and on an equal level with other young men in society. It helps form friendships and social bonds. This grant will directly help many more young homeless men to have a focus and move forward in their lives."
For further details on the new fund, visit the Airport’s community website at www.london-lutoninthecommunity.co.uk/communitytrustfund/
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For more information please contact:
London Luton Airport Press Office – press.office@ltn.aero