ABOUT US
In 2025, The Daisie Rich Trust will be 70 years old, and we continually strive to build on and protect the legacy left to the Trust by Miss Daisie Rich.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY
In 1955, Miss Daisie Rich, a local business woman, left the majority of her estate in trust for the benefit of the Isle of Wight Community.
Over the following years, the funds were wisely invested in a diversified investment portfolio that now provides a consistent source of annual income to support the charity's work. The Trust is also grateful for a substantial annual donation from Leather Taylor Ltd.
The breadth and continuity of our donations are vital in sustaining a broad range of Island charities and community groups, with many of these being at a grassroots level. The sectors we support include Youth, Health, Welfare, Services to the Community, Arts, Culture and the Environment as well as our unique People in Crisis project. Having the security of our own foundation allows us to make multi-year funding to many of our long-standing partners, providing a more stable environment for their own operations.
HOW WE WORK AND WHAT WE SUPPORT
The Trust makes grants to five broad sectors and will consider applications for any charitable purpose that will directly benefit the Isle of Wight and its community.
YOUTH
Our Youth category concentrates on projects that benefit children and young people on the Island. Grants and donations have included funds for education, sports, youth club facilities, and mental health support services for young people. Most recently we have supported the new Island Literacy Project. We are also pleased to have supported Shanklin Voluntary Youth and Community Centre since 1996.
SHANKLIN VOLUNTARY YOUTH & COMMUNITY CENTRE
‘Daisie Rich Trust has enabled SVYCC to help thousands of young Islanders to realise their aspirations, potential and fulfil their dreams, and to enjoy the inclusivity, inspiration and imaginative innovation of SVYCC.’
HEALTH
The Trust makes donations to groups and charitable organisations working in the health sector, including vital facilities such as the Mountbatten Hospice and The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. We also help fund many specialised patient support groups as well as respite care providers.
HAMPSHIRE & ISLE OF WIGHT AIR AMBULANCE
‘The Daisie Rich Trust have been a part of the HIOWAA family since we started flying in 2007. They have donated £76,250 to date, enough to fund 25 lifesaving missions.’
SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY
This category includes projects and charities which benefit the whole Island community. We are proud to be long term supporters of many organisations including Cowes Sailability, Cruse Bereavement Care as well as more recently, Tidal Family Support.
SANDOWN CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION
'Sandown Carnival Association runs a series of family events each summer. Thanks to a kind donation by the Daisie Rich Trust, this year’s events programme was just as packed as last year and included a full day of free family entertainment.'
WELFARE & PEOPLE IN CRISIS
We are pleased to help organisations which support people and families facing great challenges, including Citizens Advice Isle of Wight which we have helped fund since 2005. Our People in Crisis project supports those individuals in immediate and dire need with small sums of money promptly administered through our delivery partners which include Southern Housing, Vectis Housing and The Footprint Trust.
CITIZENS ADVICE ISLE OF WIGHT
'Citizens’ Advice Isle of Wight has been privileged to have received grants from the Daisie Rich Trust over the years. Through these grants, we have been able to offer financial assistance to some of the most vulnerable within our community. These funds were available when individuals and families had exhausted all other avenues of help. Without this funding, many clients would have nowhere to turn to and undoubtedly fall deeper into hardship, affecting their overall health and well-being.
We would like to thank Daisie Rich for your continued support on behalf of CA IOW and the clients your fund has helped.'
ARTS, CULTURE & ENVIRONMENT
We have a vibrant arts and culture scene on the Isle of Wight. The Trust helps fund projects that enhance Island life in its Arts, Culture, and Environment category. These have included community events, the Shanklin Theatre, upgrading library facilities at the Julia Margaret Cameron Museum and conservation projects.
PEOPLE'S TRUST FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES
‘We have been a regular recipient of generous grants from the Daisie Rich Trust for many years, towards our conservation work at Briddlesford Woods. The funding has helped us to carry out bird surveys, improve visitor access and provide nesting boxes for dormice.’