Over the past year, Red Funnel’s Proud to Support programme has provided over £70,000 in travel assistance through 43 sponsorships, supporting 16 Island Ambassadors, 12 teams, and 15 individual talents. This funding has enabled a diverse range of Islanders—from rugby players and dancers to archers and kickboxers—to access training, competitions, and performances off the Island, fostering community pride and notable achievements such as national titles, league promotions, and international representation.

Highlights include indie band Coach Party’s UK and European tours, freestyle dancers Isabel and Jasmine Dominey’s success at British and World Championships, and darts star Keegan Brown’s top-20 world ranking. Teams like Ventnor Rugby Club and East Cowes Victoria Athletic FC also excelled, while individual talents in disciplines from dressage to bowls achieved significant milestones. Red Funnel’s CEO Fran Collins expressed pride in supporting local talent and looks forward to continuing the programme with a new cohort in 2026.