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Hundreds of charities and community groups benefited from £312,726 worth of donations from Stansted Airport’s three community funds last year.

These donations demonstrate how Stansted supports its local communities, providing funding to projects, groups and organisations in neighbouring areas.  A village green project, youth employment schemes, hospices and disability groups are just some of the 220 organisations that benefited in 2011. Highlights include:

The Hatfield Broad Oak Village Green – Hatfield Broad Oak - £50,000 towards a project to transform grazing land into sporting and recreational facilities in the centre of the village.

Keith Artus, District Councillor for Hatfield Broad Oak and the Hallingburys, said: “The Parish Council's belief in its plan to turn 12.5 acres of land in the heart of the village into a country park has been rewarded with this wonderful offer of support from the Stansted Community Fund.”

Birchanger Church of England Primary School - £1000 towards an upgrade to its computer suite.

Shirley Warbrick, Head teacher of Birchanger C of E Primary School, said: “School funding for computer hardware has been cut by 80% so we are particularly grateful for the donation of £1000 from the Stansted Community Fund.  Having access to a netbook when children need one will have a real impact on learning.”

Braintree Foyer’s Look Up To Yourself - Braintree - £1,500 towards an innovative basketball project designed to raise the aspirations of young homeless people in Essex.

Mark Watson, Braintree Foyer Manager, said: “We are extremely grateful to Stansted Airport for their donation which will allow us to deliver an exciting project with a proven track record of motivating and developing talent to benefit the young people of Braintree.”

The Young Concern Trust – Harlow - £1,500 towards a new support and development programme for primary school children across Harlow.

Robert Locke, Director of the Young Concern Trust in Harlow, said:  “All of us at Young Concern Trust really appreciate the support that the Stansted Community Fund has given us through this donation. It will enable us to provide resources to support our new work with primary school children in Harlow.”

Saffron Walden County High School – Saffron Walden - £3,000 towards an outdoor classroom that includes a pond, teaching area and wildlife garden.

Huw Leyshon, Saffron Walden County High School Trustee, said: “The fantastic financial contribution enabled us to develop an overgrown expanse into a functioning ‘outdoor classroom’ incorporating a pond, teaching area and insect attracting wildlife garden.”

Marcella M’Rabety, Stansted Airport's Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, said:

"I'd like to offer my congratulations to all the local charities and community groups who have benefited from the hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of donations from Stansted Airport’s three community funds in 2011.

“We are all aware these are very difficult economic times, and that the aviation sector continues to be affected by the downturn, so we are delighted to be able to support so many organisations and continue our commitment to the local communities surrounding the airport.”

The airport has three funding streams where local people can apply for support, these are; the Stansted Community Fund, the Stansted Airport Passenger Community Fund and the Stansted Airport Community Trust. Most of Stansted's community activity and support is channelled through grants to help local schools; funding of youth development projects; supporting staff with fundraising and voluntary activities; supporting educational initiatives and local charitable events.

To check whether your group qualifies for a grant, please visit www.stanstedairport.com/community or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .