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Three local charities have been shortlisted for The People’s Charity at Airbournethis summer, with the public being asked to vote for their favourite.
The You Raise Me Up, Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex and Chalk Farm Hotel & Learning Disabilities Centre are all in the running for TheAirbourne People’s Charity, with voting now open.
The charity receiving the most votes will benefit from a share of the donations a tAirbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow, which returns from 17 - 20 August.
Two other charities – chosen by the Rotary Clubs of Hailsham and Sovereign Harbour– will also share the money collected, with the remaining 70% going towards funding the flying displays at the free four-day show.
Airbourne has generated more than £100,000 in donations to local charities to date and organisers hope this year to raise even more.
An Eastbourne Borough Council spokesperson said, “Thank you to all those who have nominated or applied so far, we have had an incredible response.
We look forward to showcasing the brilliant work of our Airbourne 2023 charities and hope the public will dig deep and donate to support their good work, and to help keep the airshow flying too.”
You Raise Me Up
You Raise Me Up was established more than 10 years ago to support families that have suffered the death of an adult child between the age of 16 and 25 in the local area.
Through its support centre and community coffee shop in Polegate, the charity offers practical, emotional, and financial support to families, providing a 24-hour mental health crisis helpline, one-to-one specialist counselling and peer support groups – all provided by people with the shared lived experience of theloss of a young adult.
Leesa Pattison, the charity’s CEO, said, “We provide compassion, support and simplyto be able to say, ‘We totally understand’, rather than ‘We cannot imagine what you are going through’.
“We aim to relieve isolation of grief and bereavement, to build resilience and confidence to enable the bereaved families to move on with their lives – to thrive and not just survive.
“We have provided these services since 2011 and helped over 300 families who remainin our care for as long as they need.
“Our whole-family approach supports surviving family members and friends to work through the unimaginable grief and pain of losing a child.
We support the whole family - and increasingly friends.
“Our support is not limited to the cause of death or time of loss. Our support groups are open to bereaved families regardless of the age of the child or length of loss.
“Our community café and support centre in Polegate is open to everyone in the community as a safe place to relieve social isolation and loneliness while enjoying great coffee and amazing cake.
“A signposting service is available to everyone needing support giving free guidance,advice and help.”
How to Vote
Voting is now open online at www.eastbourneairshow.com/charity, voting closes 30 April.
With Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow returning this summer, visitors are being asked to help keep the event flying high by supporting the show ahead of the four-day airshow extravaganza.
70%of all donations made between now and August will fund the flying displays atthe show,
while 30% is split between the chosen People’s Charity and the two Rotary charities, still to be announced.
