SIXTEEN projects have been awarded £100,000 of grants from the Gatwick Foundation Fund.

The Fund was established last year to provide £300,000 in annual grants to charities and other non-profit organisations.

Funds are awarded in three rounds across the year and are evenly distributed by the Community Foundations for Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Gatwick employees also have the opportunity to be closely associated with projects close to their heart by offering their support and expertise.

The 16 recipients estimate grants will positively benefit more than 7,000 people across the regions of Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Five lucky charities in Sussex will receive grants.

They are Action In Rural Sussex, Bentswood Community Partnerships, abandofbrothers, People Matter Charitable Trust and Horsham Matters.

Gatwick Airport’s head of community engagement Alison Addy said: “We are delighted to, once again, be supporting the Community Foundations in Kent, Surrey and Sussex with the Gatwick Foundation Fund.

“These funds can make a real difference to people’s lives and we are committed to ensuring these important community projects continue to thrive.”

abandofbrothers is a charity established by men committed to positive social change through personal development and community building.

The organisation was born out of concern at the continuing escalation of self-destructive and anti-social behaviour among young men from every section of society.

Chief Executive Officer Nathan Roberts said: “We are extremely grateful for this support from the Gatwick Foundation.

“This comes at a challenging time for charities such as ours and we really appreciate the resources to continue our work supporting and mentoring vulnerable young men from Crawley and also making a difference in the wider community through service projects.”

Action in Rural Sussex is based in Lewes.

It is an independent charity that exists for all people living in rural areas of Sussex but especially those who are at risk of isolation and disadvantage, and for whom rural life brings an additional challenge and cost to their daily lives.

People Matter is based in Eastbourne and provides information, advice and guidance to jobseekers, whether or not they are currently working.

It believes that every individual has a unique set of talents and abilities that allow them to contribute to the community in which they live and work. Its mission is to help people realise their full potential.