By Isle of Wight Observer
A charity supporting the most vulnerable babies at St Mary’s Hospital has received the largest donation in WightAID’s October grant round.
The Ickle Pickles Children’s Charity, which helps premature and critically ill infants needing intensive care, was awarded £2,771 to purchase two specialist recliner chairs for the hospital’s neonatal unit. The chairs will allow parents to bond with their babies through breastfeeding and skin-to-skin ‘kangaroo care’.
Overall, more than £6,350 was distributed by WightAID during this round of funding awards. Among the beneficiaries were two sports clubs. The IW Pony Club received £1,800 for new timing equipment to continue hosting fund-raising competitions. Ventnor Cricket Club was awarded £600 to start a programme for four- and five-year-olds, and a new under-nines team, aiming to teach young children teamwork, social skills, and basic cricket techniques.
Three additional grants of £500 each were given to local good causes. Ventnor Youth FC was funded for training equipment, Ventnor Carnival Association gained support for their well-being craft workshop at Better Days Café, and Lanesend Primary School received materials for costumes for their upcoming Dance Live 2025 performance.
Geoff Underwood, chairman and founder of WightAID, expressed gratitude to those whose contributions made the funding possible. “It was great to support a charity that helps tiny children, as well as sports, school and community groups. Only with the support of the Island’s businesses and individuals can we continue to donate to good causes such as these.”
To learn more or donate, visit iw.observer/wightaid.