Community Chest 2025

For the fourth year in a row – we’ve given ten charities and community groups £2,000 each.

We know it's harder than ever to raise money right now, so we want to help where we can.

We chose the winners from lots of applications across our supply area. Our judges picked groups that will make a real difference to their communities.

All eligible entries were read and considered by our internal panel of judges from across the business, each with an interest in raising money for good causes.

We told the winners by 1 April, and many projects have already started!

Aldershot Underwood Bowling Club has installed rain water harvesting equipment for use at the club and associated allotments, thanks to a £2,000 grant from the 2025 South East Water Community Chest fund. 

The club has installed a 2,500 litre water tank which enables it to reduce its water consumption by collecting rainwater for use at the club and to water plants at the neighbouring allotments.

Additionally, it has worked with the adjacent tennis club to install another water tank (1,000 litres), and alongside two water butts supplied by South East Water in mid-May, these have quickly filled and been used for watering plants around the Green.

In keeping with the water-saving spirit of its application, the club has also purchased additional drought-tolerant plants and compost for the pots around its Green.

Alison Miller, Secretary, Aldershot Underwood Bowling Club said: “We are delighted to have our new rain water harvesting equipment in place, thanks to the support of South East Water’s Community Chest fund. 

“We have already put this to good use and having calculated all the costs associated with the project, there was still a relatively large amount of the grant left, which we didn’t want to just fritter away.

“We have used the remainder of the grant to replace the battery and pads on the defibrillator located on the outside wall of our Clubhouse. We felt that it was important that club members, as well as the wider community, continue to have access to this potentially life-saving piece of equipment.”

Balcombe Church of England Primary School children are enjoying a new weather station and upgraded wildlife pond thanks to a £2,000 grant from the 2024 South East Water Community Chest Fund.

The weather station is being used to support the school’s science and geography curriculum, with pupils using technology to compare and contrast our weather patterns with other locations in the world. Meanwhile, the pond has been in constant use since its revamp, with pupils excitedly dipping and discovering a range of pond life.

Wendy Millbanks, Headteacher at Balcombe Church of England Primary School said: “The joy on the pupil’s faces when looking closely at a newt, or identifying a water boatman is a delight to see. The children love being outside in the sun, close to nature and learning more about the mysteries of the underwater world.

“Without the grant given to us, we would not have been able to repair the platforms and make our pond safe, so it would have remained out of bounds for another year, with so many learning opportunities lost. We look forward to using both the weather station and our pond to support learning for many years to come.”

Wateringbury CE Primary School’s wildlife garden and pond is now full of life thanks to a £2,000 grant from the 2023 South East Water Community Chest fund.

Debbie Johnson, Headteacher of Wateringbury CE Primary School, said: “We are so grateful to South East Water for the grant which, along with some amazing fundraising by our parent body, allowed us to create our wildlife garden and pond.

“Our children love being outside, and we are lucky to have such beautiful grounds to explore. This addition to our outdoor learning provision means that children can learn about the creatures in our environment and the frogs are delighted with the upgrade from their muddy puddle!”

You can read our full press release for Wateringbury Primary School here.

Over 200 men in the Farnborough area took part in a potentially lifesaving prostate cancer screening day thanks to an event organised by Farnborough & Aldershot Lions Club.

Tanya Sephton, Customer Services Director, South East Water said: “Across the UK more than 12,000 deaths occur each year due to prostate cancer and days like this are so important in raising awareness and ensuring men come forward for what could be lifesaving testing.

“We are delighted that we could help support this good cause by providing financial help from our Community Chest Fund, and work with the Farnborough & Aldershot Lions Club to help make a difference to the health and wellbeing of men in the Farnborough area.”

Read our press release for The Farnborough Lions men's prostate cancer screening day here.