One group, the Derby West Indian Community Association Steel Band (pictured), came to the airport at the weekend to help put customers in the holiday mood, after they received £2,000 towards new steel pans. The performance was part of EMA’s celebrations for Black History Month. A video of the performance is available here: https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1948/49b4a2e1-93f7-4b75-acba-eb0aa3dafebf/1728733468535-original-d69e3256-b09a-47a9-ba37-4c5bcf75ddc6.mp4?10000y
The EMA Community Fund is dedicated to bringing lasting benefit to those areas most affected by the airport’s operations. Eligible organisations within the Area of Benefit – which stretches to the outer edges of Derby, Nottingham and Leicester to the north, east and south and includes Burton on Trent to the west - can apply for funding.
Part of the £228,000 donated to 81 organisations since April was from the Eco Garden and Low Carbon Energy Funds which are now closed. Over the past three years, this handed out just over £1m for local environmental projects using surcharges levied against noisy aircraft.
£60,000 of these funds is ringfenced to help mark EMA’s 60th anniversary next year, going towards upgrading the Airport Trail - a 6.3-mile walking route around the perimeter of the airport which passes the EMA Aeropark aviation museum and aircraft viewing areas.
Projects that have benefited from EMA Community Fund donations this year include:
· Bennerley Fields School, Ilkeston, was awarded a grant of £2,000 towards their fully accessible school minibus
· Newhall Football Club, Swadlincote, received £1,966 towards sports equipment including pitch maintenance equipment, training goals, posts, respect barriers, a pop-up shelter and funding for kits
· Orchard Primary School, Castle Donington, was awarded £2,000 towards a trim trail in the school playground, installed over the summer holidays. It is available for pupils as well as clubs including Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Cubs and Scout Groups, and holiday clubs
· 4th Coalville Scout Group received a grant of £2,000 towards the purchase of a new trailer, to transport camping and activity equipment to camps and events.
Projects that have benefited from the EMA Low Carbon Energy Grant and Eco Garden Grant this year include:
· Gotham Sports Arena and Kegworth Tennis Club were each awarded £10,000 towards new LED floodlights
· Nottingham Casuals Rugby Football Club recently won £10,000 towards the purchase of solar panels
· St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy in Alvaston, Derby recently completed the development of their Eco Garden with £9,285 of funding.
EMA’s Community Engagement Manager, Colleen Hempson, said: “We take our responsibilities very seriously as a large employment site which, given our business, has an impact on surrounding communities.
“As well as engaging with our communities all year round, we’re really pleased to be able to give something back through our Community Fund, which can make a big difference to community groups and benefit thousands of people in our area every year.”
You can find out more about the East Midlands Airport Community Fund here.
