Cardiff Airport has announced support of a number of community groups and projects in the local area, as part of the Airport’s community initiative, The Touchdown Programme. Following careful consideration by the Community Fund Working Group, the Airport has chosen to support a variety of projects, ranging from community wellbeing initiatives, to environmental projects such as adopting beehives in Carmarthenshire and helping to clear footpaths around the Vale of Glamorgan.

Launched in 2019, The Touchdown Programme encapsulates the Airport’s commitment to supporting and engaging with the local community. Funding and support is awarded through a Community grant scheme, where organisations or groups of any size can apply for sponsorship of local projects focussed on education and/or environmental impact. In addition to providing sponsorship, the Cardiff Airport Community Fund Working Group, made up of volunteers from across all Airport departments, will work closely with the organisations on supporting volunteering and awareness.

Jason Coleman, Chair of the Community Fund Working Group at Cardiff Airport, said:

“As the national Airport for Wales, we strive to make a positive contribution to the local community, and giving something back to the region through our first round of funding.

“We are delighted to announce our support for a range of incredible community projects and organisations that support and promote wellbeing, learning, and positive contributions to the environment in our local area. The projects range from sustainable beekeeping, to dance and rugby clubs, to supporting the installation of two vital defibrillators in Rhoose. As a team, we are really excited to support and work closely with these amazing initiatives.

“During these unprecedented times, community is now more important than ever, and we look forward to working closely with the projects and groups that we are supporting.”

Gruffydd Rees, Founder at Mêl Gwenyn Gruffydd Honey, said:

“We are delighted that we’ve been selected under The Touchdown Programme this year, and we are incredibly excited to work closely with the Airport over the next 12 months. By adopting a beehive with Gwenyn Gruffydd, Cardiff Airport will make an immediate positive impact on the environment, helping to reverse the decline in honeybee numbers and help promote the vital part that bees play in every aspect of the ecosystem. We are humbled to be part of the project with Cardiff Airport and looking forward to making a real difference together, as well as raising awareness of honeybees, sustainable farming and food production here in Wales.”

Simon Webb at Rhoose Defibrillator Group added:

“as a small community funded group, we were delighted when our application for support was approved by The Touchdown Programme. Without the support of local organisations, we would not be able to place and maintain much needed defibs within our community. These vitally important public access machines and cabinets enable the user to commence early defibrillation, if needed, in advance of an ambulance arriving on scene, and these early moments can make a significant difference to a patient’s outcome in the event of a cardiac arrest.  We would like to thank Cardiff Airport for helping us with these much-needed funds.”

Details of how to apply for future funding through The Touchdown Programme will be available later in the year.

Gold Award recipients:

Mêl Gwenyn Gruffydd Honey– sponsorship will include Cardiff Airport adopting a beehive, helping to protect and promote the importance of bees to the environment.

Rhoose Defibrillator Group– funding will enable defibrillators to be placed around Rhoose village, helping to save lives.

AP Cymru– The Autism Charity- Cardiff Airport funding will enable more families to attend the Autism & Me Programme which would help them to further understand their child, and help the parent to be the best advocate for their child and their needs.

Pensarn Barn Free Range Eggs– funding will help to buy new housing for free-range rescue chickens.

Rubicon Dance– funding will support a weekly bilingual adult and toddler group at Penarth Pavilion, helping 30 young families meet people, and improve their language skills and fitness.

Dafen School Llanelli– funding will be put towards purchasing books, music lessons, computers and sports equipment.

Silver Award recipients:

Cardiff & Vale Wellbeing– a great initiative which involves the development of a community café in Barry serving Manmuit Coffee (roasted by survivors of human trafficking) and food prepared and served by vulnerable adults. It will offer a space for people to gather, chat and support each other. Silver funding will help to develop the social enterprise café.

Motion Control Dance– we are helping to finance improvements to Motion Control’s dance studio.

Rhoose Community Library (RCL)– putting funds towards the Scrabble Club and purchasing Welsh Scrabble sets to improve language skills.

Bush Ironsides Youth Rugby– providing funds to Tredegar’s only rugby club, enabling the club to allow more people to play rugby and become part of a team.

Support only:
Valeways– the Cardiff Airport team will help to clear footpaths around the Vale of Glamorgan, allowing more people to walk and enjoy the Vale’s beautiful scenery.