Airport fund takes flight ... with £70k up for grabs
■■Ben ■■Lynsey Ramage Gair
blyens.reaym.gagire@@trrienaitcyhmpilrcr.ocor.cmom 07393 762401
Glasgow Airport’s FlightPath Fund is taking off once again to deliver £70,000 to support community groups, charities and sustainability-themed projects.
The fund’s committee is urging neighbouring groups and organisations to submit applications and is also keen to support sustainability-themed projects aimed at improving the environment in the communities local to the airport.
Just over £70,000 is being made available to projects and groups of all sizes based in each of the four local authority areas supported by Glasgow Airport’s FlightPath Fund - Renfrewshire, Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire.
The fund was established in 2010 to provide financial support to community groups and charities that are committed to improving the opportunities, facilities and services available to local people.
Awards will continue to focus on the three key areas of employment, environment and education.
Fund chairman Archie Hunter said: “It is great to see a return of the FlightPath Fund which, since its inception 11 years ago, has delivered more than £1.6million in support to over 600 local clubs, groups, charities and projects.
“The aviation sector has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic during the last 18 months and Glasgow Airport deserves a lot of credit for ensuring that the local communities it serves are included in its recovery plans.
“The eyes of the world will be on Glasgow and Scotland when the COP26 global climate summit gets underway on October 31.
“Since 2011, the FlightPath
Fund has supported a number of environmentally-focused projects and organisations including the tremendous, Flying Fish project run by the Clyde River Foundation charity.
“With fund support totalling more than £40,000, this project has helped over 2,300 pupils across 95 primary six classes in 58 schools learn about the biodiversity of their local waterways and rivers.
“We want to hear from local groups and organisations that are making a positive contribution to the environment or need financial help to kick-start a sustainability-themed project, as supporting the environment remains a core value of the FlightPath Fund.”
The airport’s sustainability assurance manager, Kirsty Webster, will advise the committee this year to help identify award submissions that best demonstrate a positive environmental impact.
Ronald Leitch, operations director at the airport, said: “The FlightPath Fund has been a force for good since it was set up back in 2010 and I’ve seen for myself the benefits it brings to our local communities through a variety of worthwhile causes.
“The financial support delivered by the fund has helped a diverse range of organisations - from sports clubs and disability groups to educational programmes and environmental projects - improve the lives of thousands of people across our neighbouring communities.
“Everyone at Glasgow Airport is incredibly proud of the fantastic work carried out by the FlightPath Fund and we are thrilled to see its return.”
Renfrewshire groups which have received cash in the past include Ride 63 community cycle group, based at Castle Semple Country Park, which welcomed two funding awards totalling £4,234 in 2018.
That same year, West College Scotland was handed just over £5,000 to deliver a series of coding clubs to primary pupils in Paisley.
Youngsters from eight primary schools - Lochfield, West, St Charles’, St Fergus’, St Peter’s, St Paul’s, Gallowhill and Glencoats took part in Minecraft Education Edition (Coding Clubs.
The closing date for applications is Friday, October 29.
The FlightPath Fund’s committee, which includes elected representatives from each of the four local authority areas, will meet on November 11 during COP26 to consider all applications made and to allocate any agreed financial support.
To find out more about applying, visit www. glasgowairport.com/ community and download the application form and funding guidelines.