The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) is an independent charitable foundation set-up in 2002 by local people to connect donors with the local causes and charities that they care about in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

They are part of a national network of 57 Community Foundations across the UK who play a leading role in the development of local philanthropy to sustain voluntary action within our communities.  

HIWCF are committed to strengthening Hampshire and Isle of Wight communities by encouraging local giving:

HIWCF manage charitable funds of behalf of  individuals, businesses, government and other trusts

• HIWCF make grants to local 'grassroots' charities and voluntary groups on behalf of their Fund holders
• HIWCF promote the benefits of "Investing in our local communities"

HIWCF make sure your donations, and donations from companies such as Hildon Ltd, go where funds are really needed and will make a difference. They add value to your local giving by leveraging in other funds under their management and through understanding of local issues.

The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Children's Fund are delighted that Hildon Natural Mineral Water are continuing their support of our work in 2010.  By sponsoring the water at our two fundraising events on board HMS Victory this year they are helping us to continue our work supporting the children and families from the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines.  We are immensely grateful to all at Hildon.

The support that we give to these children and their families is based on wherever we find there is need, hardship or distress.  We have been in operation for over 100 years, originally supporting children of ex-servicemen but changing over the years so that nowadays around 80% of our beneficiaries' parents are still serving.

Nearly half of our beneficiaries have special needs or physical disability and their development has been thwarted by frequent family moves, which prevent the vital stability that children need.  Add to that the complexity of moving from English to Scottish or to foreign educational, social services and health systems on a regular basis, and many poor families, especially those without an extended family, just cannot cope. 

The majority of our cases are situated in the areas where there is a Naval/Marines presence, our offices and many of our families are in the Portsmouth area, but we have some families in other areas of the UK.  We currently have over 1,900 active cases and spend around £1.2m annually.  We do this with just two full-time staff and a small group of very active and committed trustees. 

For more details about the RNRMCF or to find out how you could support us please visit our website on www.rnrmchildrensfund.org.uk or call Clare on 07947 691 950

Hildon Ltd provided hydration for the Royal Air Force Academy (Under 23s) rugby squad at their recent training sessions and matches against the Royal Navy and Army in the Inter-Service Championships.  Hildon provided a pallet of bottled water to support the RAF.
 
The water refreshed the team and helped them put in some hard performances in a difficult championship.  All the players were really grateful for the water.
 
Assistant Team Manager, Sergeant Joe Crocker, said, "It was fantastic to get Hildon Water to support us this season, with their support the players have remained hydrated and ready for action on the field.  It's great to see Hildon Water helping the young rugby players of the RAF in their pursuit of sporting glory!"

Wet weather and soggy ground conditions did not stop the recent tree planting at War Memorial Park, Romsey.

As part of the ongoing improvements in the Park, Test Valley Borough Council joined forces with Hildon Water to support their Carbon Neutral Policy by planting 6 semi-mature lime trees to create a short woodland avenue. The scheme complements the existing tree stock both in the Park and surrounding landscape and was timed to celebrate National Tree Week.

Cllr Caroline Nokes, Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder who took part in the planting said "This wonderful donation by Hildon Ltd that will ensure long-term sustainable tree cover within in the park for future generations to enjoy. I hope we can work together on other projects in Test Valley".

 Debbie Jones, Environment Manager for Hildon Water says “Hildon Ltd is always very keen to support local projects and initiatives and was therefore very pleased to be able to work with Test Valley Borough Council in supplying and planting 6 lime (Tilia platyphyllos) trees for their Green Flag War Memorial Park, in Romsey”.

The Green Flag Award is based on continuous improvement year on year and War Memorial Park has retained green flag status for a second year. Only 917 Green Flags were awarded in 2009.

 A partnership between the Council, a local company and Andover Day Services has helped to bring foil recycling to Broughton.

Working with Andover Day Services and Hildon Ltd, the Council has installed a foil recycling bank at the Local Recycling Centre in the village. The MAGPIE Community Recycling Project (which is run by Andover Day Services) will collect the foil and sort it before sending it to be recycled locally. Hildon Ltd, who are based in Broughton have sponsored the bank.

Councillor Peter Boulton, Environment Portfolio Holder said, "The project will benefit the environment, the local community in Broughton as well as the service users at Andover Day Services. The recycling centre in the village is well used and I think that local residents will welcome the opportunity to recycle foil as it is a valuable resource which cannot be recycled at the kerbside. This project is an excellent example of partnership working to support Test Valley residents and the environment. "

Debbie Jones, Environmental Manager from Hildon said, "Hildon Ltd is always very keen to support local projects and initiatives.  Therefore we are very pleased to be able to work with Test Valley Borough Council in supplying a foil recycling bin for our local village of Broughton"

July 2009.

Naomi House is grateful to Hildon Water for being one of the main supporters of the Naomi House Walk, a 26 mile fundraising Walk in aid of Naomi House, the children's hospice supporting life limited children and their families in Southern England.  Hildon has provided water bottles for the Walk for the last three years.  The event has grown from 350 walkers to nearly 1000 walkers this year.  With Hildon's support, the Walk will have raised over £250,000 over the last three years for Naomi House. 

TVBC and the Extended Schools Service are running a walking challenge sponsored by the PCT and Hildon Ltd, which is open to all primary schools that feed into the Andover secondary school.

 The Walking Challenge will last for just over a month from Wednesday 20^th of May to Friday 19^th June, the aim of this Challenge is to get tennis players from their home countries to Wimbledon in time for the Tennis Tournament, which begins on the 22^nd July.

In order to complete the challenge, a half mile circuit is marked out in the school grounds and pupils can go around this circuit to tot miles up, amongst other activities.  Pedometers will be provided for teachers and staff so that they can take part in the challenge to.  Also, parents, guardians and grandparents are urged to get involved by walking their children to and from school and participate in other activities. 

 For further information please visit www.testvalley.gov.uk

THE skyline of central Winchester is set to be a little bit greener this summer after six new trees were planted. Three London plane specimens along with a trio of grey alder trees were planted in Water Lane to run alongside the River Itchen. Winchester City Council planted them in partnership with Hildon Water, which is based in Broughton near Stockbridge.  The firm generously provided the cash for the new trees, which will provide shade for pedestrians on the river walkway. Pictured from left planting the trees are Ivan Gurdler,
Debbie Jones, Dave Denby, Cameron Mackenzie and Mark Steele.

Story and picture courtesy of the Southern Daily Echo, Southampton. 2009

Hildon Ltd are very proud to be able to support their local Broughton Youth Football Club. 

Broughton Youth Football club is a thriving community team with under 8's, under 9's and under 15's playing in the Testway Youth Football League.  For many years local fund-raising has ensured the financial stability of our club but in 2009 Hildon Water stepped in and generously sponsored a long overdue full football kit for the under 15's.  The first game in the new kit featuring the Hildon logo saw Broughton u15's storm to their most impressive win of the season, defeating a team twelve points above them in the league by four goals to two.  With just two more games before the end of the season the under 15's are assured of their highest league standing to date and will close out the season with a twinning trip to Sauve where they will play in an international tournament with teams from Belgium, France Spain and Italy.

Hildon Ltd, suppliers of Natural Mineral Water, have generously contributed towards the costs of this appeal. They will also donate 5p to WaterVole Rescue for every bottle of their home delivery Natural Mineral Water sold between June and September 2008. To order your supply of Hildon Natural Mineral Water telephone 01794 302002 or order on-line.

Pictures of members of 10th Romsey Crusoe Scout Troop and Sioux Cub Pack enjoying a refreshing drink of Hildon Natural Mineral Water having worked hard all morning picking up flints, on the Hildon Estate.  Removing the flints is part of Hildon Ltd’s Environmental strategy to enable better growth of grass and plants which will encourage wildlife and will also stop horses, sheep and deer cutting their hooves.