Much-Needed Funding Helps Island Families In Poverty Create Lifelong Memories

Deprived Isle of Wight families will be celebrating after a little help from Tesco meant they will be able to experience their first holiday in years.

The Getaway Foundation received £1,000 from the Tesco Stronger Starts scheme so that families in poverty can enjoy a welcome holiday on the mainland, with food and travel provided.

Since 2021, the charity has been helping to create lasting memories for many people in poverty, providing more than 50 holidays for families on the Island.

Peter Tebbutt, CEO at The Getaway Foundation, said:

“We are very grateful to Tesco for this funding. It will make such a difference to many Isle of Wight families’ lives.

“Poverty should not be a barrier to families having fun on holiday and to them having access to food on holiday, and Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme has certainly helped to fund food and activities on holiday.

“All the families we support are referred to us by Isle of Wight social services, and most have not been on holiday for at least three years."

As part of the holiday service, The Getaway Foundation will provide the families’ crossing via WightLink Ferries and a taxi on the mainland, as well as access to food support at the holiday resort.

Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme was created to help schools and children’s groups provide equipment for healthy activities or nutritious food and healthy activities, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, to support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

Customers can support their local school and children’s groups by dropping the Tesco blue token they receive at checkout into the relevant voting box as they leave the store.

Claire De Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, said:

“We’re delighted that we can help groups, clubs and schools like The Getaway Foundation.

"Stronger Starts invites our customers to use their blue tokens to vote for local schemes they feel will benefit children and young people, and it’s so good to see the impact the funding makes.”

The Stronger Starts Grants scheme awards funds to charities and community organisations that make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people, with grants up to £1,500 available.

The scheme is being supported by Kiss FM presenter Jordan Banjo.

Every three months the grant scheme will support 1,350 schools with £1.35million worth of funding in 675 communities across the UK.

Schools wanting to apply for funding can do so online.