Eastbourne Tree of Light gets cash boost

The donation is one of many made by Conservative councillors in Ratton, Sovereign and Meads wards of Eastbourne, who have donated more than £3,000 to charities and good causes through the devolved budget scheme.

The councillors say the grants will be particularly welcome this year as coronavirus has put significant amounts of fundraising and general awareness on hold.

As well as the Tree of Light, also winning support are Defiant Sports in the Sovereign ward and an archaeological dig in Ratton. Both receive £1,000 each. Defiant Sports provides a fully inclusive sporting experience to people with a disability or a long-term condition.

And a dig in Ratton hopes to uncover artefacts to educate us about how we used to live.

The grants were proposed and researched by Ratton ward councillors Tony Freebody, Colin Murdoch and Colin Belsey. And in Sovereign they were driven forward by councillors Paul Metcalfe, Penny di Cara and Caroline Ansell.

Councillor Belsey said, “Charities are in desperate need of our support during these very challenging times. We were delighted to give The Tree of Light a helping hand, and also to support the great work of our Heritage Engagement team.”

Councillor Penny di Cara praised the work of Defiant Sports and said, “Our £1,000 grant will help buy new equipment and a costume for a mascot. It is a great community group and we are delighted to be able to give it our support.”

To request funding for a community project, contact the local ward councillors.