Red Funnel colleagues and customers vote the Isle of Wight Foodbank as its Charity of the Year, 2024

Monday 15 January: Red Funnel has today announced that the Isle of Wight Foodbank will be its Charity of the Year for 2024, as the Isle of Wight ferry company celebrates 10 years of its flagship charity programme. 

The announcement follows the results of a vote by the Isle of Wight community and Red Funnel colleagues. The Isle of Wight Multiple Sclerosis Society and The RSPCA, Isle of Wight Branch, were also shortlisted, following a review of 35 charities who submitted their application. 
Since the ferry operator began its Charity of the Year programme in 2015 it has raised over £335,000 in support of causes impacting the Island community. 

Isle of Wight Foodbank aims to help those struggling with food poverty and short-term crisis across the Isle of Wight. They operate five cafes across Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Shanklin and the West Wight. 

The charity works with approximately 100 frontline care professionals to distribute food vouchers to the Island's community while signposting those needing additional support agencies. 

Fran Collins, Chief Executive of Red Funnel, said: “We are delighted to announce the Isle of Wight Foodbank as our Charity of the Year for 2024 and we’re proud to be able to support their huge contribution to the Island community.

“Over the next 12 months, our colleagues at Red Funnel will be working with the IOW Foodbank on a series of ongoing fundraising and awareness campaigns. This follows a wonderful year supporting our outgoing 2023 Charity of the Year, Aspire.”

In addition to supporting people in need, the Isle of Wight Foodbank provides volunteering opportunities to over 100 local people of various ages and backgrounds, providing a platform for them to develop new skills and, in some cases, build much-needed confidence.

Kay Lewis, the Manager of the Isle of Wight Foodbank, said: “It was a great surprise to be first shortlisted with two other amazing charities and now to be selected as Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year. We would like to thank both the staff and customers of Red Funnel who have voted for and given us their support. The impact of having this support through the whole year will make such a difference to the provision of food we offer to the Island community.’”

For more information about Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year scheme and the Isle of Wight Foodbank, please visit: https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/coty2024 and https://isleofwight.foodbank.org.uk/