Charities

Airbourne has supported local charities with more than £100,000 in donations over the last decade, thanks to our kind airshow visitors.

For every £1 collected in the Airbourne bucket collection and through online donations, 70p supports flying displays at the show, and 30p is given to our three chosen local charities - all of whom support us with around 200 volunteer bucket collectors at the show. 

Each year Airbourne selects three local charities to take part - two are chosen by our Bucket Collection partners - the Rotary Clubs of Eastbourne, Sovereign Harbour and Hailsham, and the third charity - The People's Charity - is chosen by a public vote.

The People's Charity

The People’s Charity is cleared for take-off once again in 2023 and we are asking you to help us choose a charity to benefit from donations at Airbourne.

Nominate your favourite charity and we will invite them to make an application prior to shortlisting.

Nominations close at 23:59 on Monday 20 February 2023 (applications close 26 February).

Nominate Now

Learn more about the 2022 Charities...

Eastbourne and District Samaritans are affiliated to the Samaritans national charity and are dedicated to reducing the feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide. A 24-hour service is provided through The Haven in Eastbourne’s Bolton Road, ensuring there is always someone there to listen to people in need of emotional support. Despite working with a 30% reduction of volunteers during the pandemic, the Eastbourne and District Samaritans answered 16,456 inbound calls, totalling 5,110 hours call time in 2020.

Children with Cancer Fund is a small charity that aims to alleviate the suffering of children who have or have had cancer, and their families, across East Sussex, Brighton, and Hove. Established in 1998, CWCF hosts exciting local events giving beneficiaries the opportunity to meet others in a similar situation, and reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation that comes with a child’s cancer diagnosis. Alongside events CWCF grants wishes to each of their beneficiaries, whether practical, medical, or fun, aiming to make life easier for them whilst experiencing difficult times.

Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) is the charity that saves lives at sea. Established in 1822, Eastbourne’s lifeboat station is a crucial service, with their voluntary lifeboat crews responding in all weathers to over 8,000 incidents each year. The lifesaving work performed by the RNLI is entirely funded by donations, ensuring that the modern fleet of lifeboats are maintained and ever-ready to go to the rescue.