Welcome To The Jo Walters Trust
The Jo Walters Trust commemorates the life of Joanna Walters by giving grants to causes that she would approve of.
Mission Statement
In memory of Joanna Walters, and to celebrate her life and achievements as an inspirational person, teacher and motivator, the Jo Walters Trust provides opportunities to help people enrich their lives and the lives of others, through sport, outward bound, educational and environmental projects, both at home and abroad.
About the Jo Walters Trust
The trust is an approved Scottish Charity, regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. It has 7 appointed trustees.
The Jo Walters Trust has made a round of grants each year to organisations and individuals since it started in 2011, in line with our charitable aims: education, sport, outward bound and the environment. To read more about the grants we have made to date, please see our Grants page. We have also campaigned to improve the stretch of road in Brighton where Jo was killed to make it safer for cyclists. For more on this campaign please see our cycling news page.
If you would like to get involved in our work, take part in an event, or make a donation we'd love to hear from you. Please see our contribution page for details on how to contribute either time or money. If you're interetested in hearing more about our work you can have a read of our blog, or subscribe to our newsletter using the link on the right of our website and you'll be automatically added to our newsletter. We promise not to share your information with anyone else.
Alternatively, if you'd like to contact us by email with suggestions, feedback or comments, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at info@jowalterstrust.org.uk.
2024 Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust Award
In July 2024, the Jo Walters Trust paid for a crew of young people to sail from Largs with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust with a donation of £4,026. This wonderful charity helps inspire young people to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer through the magic of the Trust’s sailing and outdoor adventures.
As the EMCT says, 'When a young person gets the ‘all clear’, there is an expectation of happiness and returning to ‘normal’. But what is their ‘normal’ now? Their whole world has changed. The future can feel daunting and overwhelming. Cancer can have a big impact on a young person’s mental wellbeing beyond treatment which is why when treatment ends, their work begins.
“After my trip, I feel like I can do anything. I got through cancer so now I can just do anything. On my trips, I feel like I can explain how I feel and not feel judged. The friends I’ve made here know me a bit more because friends at home don’t know what I’ve been through so its hard to talk to them about it.” Seren, 10.
Our donation funded spaces for young people from Scotland aged 8-17 to take part in a five day return sailing trip from their base in Largs in July 2024.
We are so grateful to Dame Ellen MacArthur for so kindly recording a message of thanks to all the supporters of the Jo Walters Trust who helped achieve this grant, you can watch it here
