London City Airport has announced that its Community Fund has reached a £500,000 milestone in local charity donations since 2019 and has confirmed the successful applicants for the first tranche of funding from its annual £75,000 of support.

The Community Fund provides funding twice per year to support local charities that represent inclusive and diverse communities across East London.

Grants of up to £3,000 are available for charities and not-for-profit organisations who can demonstrate their ability to enable significant and positive change for communities surrounding the airport.

From its first tranche of funding this year, the airport has announced it has awarded £48,165 to 17 charities and not-for-profit organisations across six London boroughs.

The groups that have secured funding so far are: Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA), which provides sports and educational opportunities for youth; Pioneer Theatres in Stratford East, which helps young technicians produce stage performance; and Thames Reach Charity, which supports unhoused individuals find housing, employment, support, and rehabilitation.

Other grant winners include: Bow Foodbank, which provides emergency food supplies to people in financial crisis; the Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London (RAMFEL), an advocacy group for refugees, migrants, and vulnerable individuals; and Motherly Love, which aids mothers in East London struggling with mental health.

Michael Spiers, chief people officer at London City Airport, said: “We’re proud to support such a diverse range of charities and organisations that are doing remarkable work to build stronger, safer, and healthier communities.”

Natasha Hart MBE, chief executive of NASSA, added: “We at NASSA are grateful and want to thank London City Airport for the funding. For each young person that NASSA supports, we are also helping their family, friends, peers and the community they live in.

“NASSA will be celebrating 20 years this year, working and delivering a variety of sports and mentoring successful projects in Newham and east London for young people.”