P R E S S R E L E A S E
For immediate release
5th November 2018
EASTLEIGH CANOE CLUB BENEFITS FROM HIWCF SPORTING AWARDS FUNDING
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) has distributed £12,630 in grants this year through the Michael Austin Harlick Sports Award, which was established to support talented athletes and young people participating in sports and competitions, funding 50% of the cost of trophies, medals, awards and team colours.
One group benefitting from funding is Itchen Valley Canoe Club based in Eastleigh, which received a grant of £735 for a range of trophies and medals, including a set being made of model canoes and kayaks for a series of Wild Water Races known as the Southern Boat Series in the region, helping to encourage paddlers to get involved in racing.
Susan Templeton, SBS Manager of Itchen Valley Canoe Club said “We are extremely grateful to receive a grant from HIWCF’s Michael Austin Harlick Sports Awards Fund, helping us to provide sporting trophies. The Wild Water Races enable over 100 paddlers aged from 9 to 80, to experience competition at various locations and mix with other competitors to improve their skills. 
This allows participants to gain a national ranking while getting motivated by the competition, learning key racing and safety skills in a challenging but safe and fun way. Up to 2 million people paddle in the UK each year, with 17 affiliated canoeing clubs across Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and we are delighted that through this grant we are able to recognise the hard work of competitors from local canoe clubs and organisations.”
Grant Cornwell MBE, HIWCF Chief Executive commented “HIWCF has a great reputation for effective management of charitable funds in order to maximise their impact at local level. We recognise the impact that sport can have and how it can help bring positive change to both individuals and local communities. This fund was one of 27 transferred from Hampshire County Council earlier this summer, with HIWCF ensuring that grants continue to be made in line with the original objectives of the trust, in helping to recognise the sporting achievements of young people in Hampshire. If you work with a charitable trust that is struggling to fulfil its original obligations, please contact us to revitalise the fund to once again support those in need in the local community.”
If you would like to find out more about HIWCF and its valuable work across Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Southampton and Portsmouth please look at www.hiwcf.com
Photographs courtesy of Itchen Valley Canoe Club.
– ENDS –
NOTES TO EDITORS
Contact details for Editor:
Name: Grant Cornwell MBE, Chief Executive / Lucy Sweet, Marketing Manager
Direct Dial: (01256) 776116
Email: lucy@hiwcf.com
About Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation
Registered Charity No: 1100417 – Registered Company Number 4534462
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) is an independent charitable trust established to inspire local giving for local need. The Community Foundation works both with donors who want to give something back to their local communities and voluntary groups providing vital services for local people where often a few hundred pounds can make a real difference to their lives. Companies, individuals, families and trusts can establish a fund with the Foundation, which supports a growing programme of grant-making to communities. HIWCF is part of a national network of 46 Community Foundations, one of the fastest growing philanthropic movements in the UK. HIWCF is uniquely placed to ensure that the trusts that we manage can continue to support their original objectives, with some of the trusts that we manage being over 100 years old. Local groups can take a look at the HIWCF website to see if they might qualify for a grant: www.hantscf.org.uk or email HIWCF at grantsadmin@hiwcf.com
Michael Austin Harlick Sports Awards
Michael Harlick lived in Gosport and was badly injured as a prisoner of war in World War 2. He devoted much of his life to sport in Hampshire, leaving his estate to Hampshire County Council to reward and support sporting achievements of Hampshire’s young people. The Michael Austin Harlick Memorial Fund was transferred to HIWCF from Hampshire County Council in June 2018 under an amalgamation of 27 trusts and charities, administered by HIWCF as the Hampshire Community Fund.
