RWE, one of the UK’s largest renewable energy companies, has awarded £28,386 to local communities surrounding the Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm, 7 km west of Lydd on Romney Marsh, through its Community Fund. Over its lifetime Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Community Fund will invest over £1.5 million into communities closest to the wind farm.

The funding is administered locally by the Kent and Sussex Community Foundations working in partnership, with decisions made by a panel of local people who know their area best. In this round of funding from the RWE Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Fund many of the projects supported will help local people meet the challenges of the cost of living crisis. Rye Food Bank received £5,000 to help households struggling to meet their weekly costs and Romney Day Care Centre also received £5,000 to open a warm hub.

Kevin Richmond, CEO at Sussex Community Foundation said:

“Since 2009, the Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Fund has supported a wide range of brilliant community groups delivering vital services in the area. Through our partnership with Kent Community Foundation, we are pleased to have given out over £900,000 from this Fund.

This funding RWE has provided is now more crucial than ever, supporting local people to cope with rising costs during this difficult time. This is one of two Funds RWE holds at the Foundation; they are an excellent example of a company giving back by providing positive benefits to local communities.”

Natalie Smith, Director of Grants and Impact at Kent Community Foundation said:

“The support from fund-holders RWE through Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Community Fund is undoubtedly making a difference during these very challenges times. The beauty of community funds and giving through Community Foundations such as ours and Sussex, is that we stand at the heart of our counties, we understand local needs in detail, and we have relationships with many smaller groups and charities who are at the forefront of support for communities.

We are very pleased that the Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Community Fund continues to recognise the importance of these smaller charitable organisations and welcome more applications for grants of up to £5,000 from groups in the TN31 area.”

Katy Woodington, Community Investment Manager UK & Ireland at RWE, said:

“We have a commitment to the communities surrounding the Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm and we are proud that local groups are using the fund to help relieve at least a little of the financial burden from increased costs this winter. We look forward to seeing even more organisations benefit from support in the future.”

Find out more about the Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Fund at Sussex Community Foundation here.