A FUND set up to honour the memory of a young Islander who took her own life is set to consider a second round of grants to support young people’s mental health.
Kezia’s Fund, established following the death of 14-year-old Kezia Mason in March 2022, has invited applications for projects aiming to make a positive difference to young Islanders.
A total of £109,000 was distributed from the fund last July, and Kezia’s father, Rob Mason, said he had been pleased to see how many people would benefit.
“The intention was always to make a difference to a large number of people, and the total reach for organisations receiving grants from the first round was more than 3,000,” he said.
“I’m really proud and heartened that we have got this money where it is needed and fulfilling our obligation to the people who donated and their reasons for doing so.”
Fundraising was initially driven by Kezia’s brother Ben, and extended to include the annual Run 4 Kezia, with responsibility for administering grants passing to the Jersey Community Foundation.
It is anticipated that a further sum of around £100,000 will be available for the second round of grants, which will be finalised in early March.
Organisations wishing to be considered for grants need to submit applications by 3 March, with eligible sectors including sports, music, arts, youth activities, counselling, support networks, family counselling and mentoring.
Among the recipients from 2023 were the charity Mind Jersey, which received £20,000 for its Youthful Minds participation group, while surf therapy centre Healing Waves received the same amount.
Family Nursing and Home Care was awarded £14,460 for its emotional gym, Thrive Jersey was given £10,000 for its suicide prevention initiatives and a grant of £5,404 was made to the Jersey Youth Trust to fund its wellbeing days.
Mr Mason said the Run for Kezia would be staged again this September and that he anticipated a third round of grants would be given out during the first quarter of 2025. Evaluation work will also take place to assess the progress of projects which previously benefited, he added.
Further details about the fund are available at jerseycommunityfoundation.org/applying-for-funding/kezias-fund.
