The Skyros Island Support Fund . . .

Winter fuel for 3 schools, the clinic and the nursing home
For decades Skyros Holidays has enjoyed a somewhat symbiotic relationship with its host island that has, by definition, a mutually sustainable core. The local community has benefited from it as a significant part of your holiday fees is intentionally spent locally on goods, services and jobs. Skyros Holidays has also often in the past contributed generously towards various projects that benefited the island.

The situation in Greece has, however, created new problems for the locals and we need to take this approach one step further. We intend to do this by filling the gap that appears in the supply of fuel to the island’s three schools, the clinic and the nursing home during winter, when the island shivers as much as Scotland. This has been suggested by the locals as, due to the lack of funds, government subsidies for the purpose have dried up.

We hope that you will join us in making this happen. Charity, it is often said, begins at home, but for many of us Skyros is our home – be it a holiday home that makes us feel, when visiting, like coming home, or a spiritual home. The island is certainly something more than a pleasant holiday destination.

Skyros Holidays has set up for the purpose an account called the Skyros Island Support Fund with the specific aim to raise €20.000 for heating the schools, the clinic and the nursing home in the winter of 2013/14.

How can you get involved?
There are many ways you can help. Perhaps you could use the skills you honed on your Skyros holiday and hold a cabaret, raffle your artwork, run a dance class? It doesn't have to be grandiose or fantastical, simple is plenty and direct donations are always welcome. Any amount will help the local Skyrian community this winter. Not to mention it being a great opportunity to get together with your Skyros friends and have some fun.

If you would like to contribute, whether through raising funds through group activities or making direct contributions, payments can be made through PayPal by clicking the 'Donate' button below:

Alternatively, cheques can be made out to ‘Skyros Island Support Fund’ and posted to us at Skyros, 9 Eastcliff Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6AA.

We will keep you updated with progress through the Skyros Facebook page and our blog, so stay tuned for updates, including our own fundraising activities and events. Obviously, we can’t change the general picture, but we can definitely make a bit of a difference in the life of hundreds of people this winter, mostly children.

With thanks & best wishes,

The Skyros Team