The grants will continue to come from the Central Lakes Trust.

The Central Lakes Trust (CLT) board has approved a $9.45 million grants budget to assist charitable causes within the Central Lakes region for its new financial year, starting on April 1. It is a slight increase on the past year.

Trust chairwoman Linda Robertson said the the trustees had been keeping a close watch on its financials given ongoing market uncertainty.

"While we endeavour to ensure we preserve our capital for future generations, we have been able to maintain our grants budget in the vicinity of what has been granted this year, which is fantastic for our community and its charitable causes."

This latest board meeting approved 13 grants, totalling $664,887.

Among the grants was support for this year’s Arrowtown Matariki Lights, which will take place on July 14 and feature performances, light art and music.

Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand received $102,000 towards supporting children and their families from the CLT region to stay at various Ronald McDonald House facilities across New Zealand while receiving medical treatment.

Last year Ronald McDonald House assisted 106 families from the region.

Grants manager Mat Begg said "our region does not have the medical services often required, and families have to travel to receive that much needed treatment".

"That Ronald McDonald House puts these people up for little or no charge is a significant benefit to those in need."

The Bone Marrow Cancer Trust also received $20,000 to support families from the trust’s region to stay at Ranui House in Christchurch.

Bone Marrow Cancer Trust chief executive Mandy Kennedy said providing a welcoming environment, within easy walking distance of the hospital, greatly reduced the stress and anxiety patients and families were already under having to travel from their homes to receive treatment.

While Ronald McDonald House provides for children and their families, the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust provides for patients of all ages and all treatment types who require support while attending Christchurch Hospital.

Another group that received support was Food for Love with a grant of more than $98,000 towards the costs of preparing and distributing meals for those in need in the Upper Clutha area.

More than 5500 volunteer hours went towards making more than 8000 meals for people in the Upper Clutha last year.

Wanaka Search and Rescue received more than $66,000 for costs associated with training and equipment, and construction of a new storage facility.

Wao received $150,000 to support the delivery of the Wao programme in 2023/24. It holds a range of programmes designed to inspire, educate and enable the community to build resilience to change and the environmental challenges facing them.

"Educating and enabling proactive action to address our environmental and climate change challenges is very topical given recent weather events," Mr Begg said.

"We look forward to hearing about the great work Wao will do with its range of programmes this year."

The Trust granted a total of $9,061,714 for the year.

March grants

Arrowtown Charitable Trust, Matariki Lights 2023 $10,000

KingsView School, community garden and outdoor space $1050

Life Education Trust, second mobile classroom $40,000

Wanaka Search and Rescue training and equipment $66,671

Operational/programme grants

Alexandra Senior Citizens Centre Inc $16,000

Anglican Family Care Centre $10,000

Alzheimer’s Society Otago $50,000

Bone Marrow Cancer Trust $20,000

Central Lakes Breastfeeding $21,000

Food for Love $98,166

Mana Tahuna $80,000

Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand $102,000

Wao Programme $150,000