Wilderness to Wonderland tidies, plants and maintains neglected public spaces in Margate. Funding from Kent Community Foundation has helped them to transform unused spaces into wonderful, colourful enticing areas which have brightened up the town and improved the feeling of civic pride.
Wilderness to Wonderland, who create community gardens in neglected spaces in Margate have applied to grant makers Kent Community Foundation for funding to purchase bulbs, plants, shrubs, grit, mulch, hand tools and high vis vests as well as contributing towards the costs of insurance to recover, restore and maintain neglected wasteland, including the front of Margate Station.
A mission to beautify Margate
Their volunteers transform waste spaces across Margate including, a community space at Station Approach which has created a positive upbeat welcome for visitors and a space where residents can enjoy the fauna. Once the areas have been planted, the Wilderness to Wonderland volunteer brigade of planners, planters, waterers and weeders maintain the gardens.
Rory Wiatt, chair, Wilderness to Wonderland, said:
“Margate is one of the most socially deprived towns in Thanet. When we started this initiative just after lockdown, our passion was to transform tragic dark spaces in our hometown into bright wonderful places that could be enjoyed by everyone. The grants we have received from Kent Community Foundation supplement sponsorship from local business, donations from public and our fundraising quiz nights’ and allow us to plan and make efficient and strategic purchasing decisions which make our funds go further and allow us to make a huge impact on the brilliant town of Margate.”
Support for charities in Kent
Natalie Smith, Director of Grants and Impact and Deputy Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation said,
“Kent Community Foundation has been supporting charities and community groups across Kent for over twenty-three years. We support organisations that sit within our five funding priorities: children, young people & families, vulnerable adults, elderly and isolated, employability, skills & enterprise and the environment. Our support for Wilderness to Wonderland was through our ‘Micro’ route, which awards grants of up to £2,000 to charities and community groups with an annual income under £75,000.”
To contact Kent Community Foundation about funding for charities and community groups call 01303 814500, email admin@kentcf.org.uk or visit www.kentcf.org.uk/funding
