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Voluntary, community and not-for-profit organisation across Reigate and Banstead can now apply for grant funding.
The council launched the new fund on Tuesday which can offer groups between £3000 and £20,000 for improvement in facilities that help the community.
The deadline to apply is 2 November 2026. More information about the scheme and how to apply is available to the Reigate and Banstead Borough Council website.
Two men have been charged with sexual offences involving two girls in Crawley.
Shortly before 5am on Wednesday (30 September), police received a report that two girls, aged 15 and 16, had been sexually assaulted in a car park in Parkside, Crawley.
Officers attended and safeguarded the victims, with two 19-year-old men being subsequently arrested and taken into custody.
Following further enquiries, Ali Farahang, 19, an Iraqi national of Hunter Road, Crawley, has been charged with attempted rape and human trafficking under the Modern Slavery Act.
Adam Maina, 19, a Lebanese national of Bath Road in London, has been charged with rape and human trafficking under the Modern Slavery Act.
Both remain in police custody at this time (2nd October 2026), ahead of a hearing at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.
Superintendent Rachel Glenton said: “The victims will continue to receive the full support of specialist officers as the court proceedings continue.
“We are asking anyone who can help with our enquiries to report online or via 101, quoting Operation Pleat.”
Crawley resident Bob, who is supporting Hospice Care Week, with his wife Heather who was cared for by St Catherine’s. Photo Credit: Bob Beeson / St Catherine’s Hospice.
This Hospice Care Week (5 – 11 October), St Catherine’s Hospice is joining hospices across the UK to urge people not to leave hospice care to chance. As demand for end of life care continues to grow, the charity is highlighting the vital difference hospice support makes to local families and the importance of community support in securing its future.
Hospice care eases the physical and emotional pain of death and dying, helping people focus on living, right until the end. But Hospice UK warns that nearly one in three people in the UK do not get the care they need at the end of their lives, and where someone lives can affect their chance of getting the support they need.
Crawley resident, Bob Beeson, is joining St Catherine’s call for the community to help ensure everyone who needs hospice care can access it, now and in the future.
Bob shares his family’s experience of hospice care after his wife Heather spent her final days on St Catherine’s Ward:
“When I needed the extra help in the last few days of Heather’s life, St Catherine’s were there for us.
“On the Sunday before she passed away, things were desperate, and I was struggling. Once Heather was on the Ward at the hospice, I knew that she would be in the professional hands of their caring staff.
“The nurses couldn’t do enough. The whole way that the room was set out, the facilities, the advice available; it was amazing. My children and I spent as much time as we could with Heather, we were always made to feel welcome.
“The care, attention and love we received was just amazing. It was, I felt, the end that Heather deserved.”
Bob shares how his experience of hospice care goes beyond end of life:
“I cared for Heather at home for as long as possible. Nurses from St Catherine’s Community Team would come and visit every couple of weeks to assess Heather’s condition. They were always there in the background, so I knew they were there when we needed them.
“Three months after Heather passed away, I got an invitation to attend group bereavement support sessions at St Catherine’s. I didn’t hesitate. The sessions put everything into perspective. It was very comforting to understand the grief process and helped me see it in a different light. The whole experience was surprisingly enjoyable, as well as informative, reassuring and comforting. It was amazing.”
Paula McGoveney, Director of Income Generation and Marketing from St Catherine’s Hospice, says:
“Hospice care transforms lives, helping people live well for as long as possible and ensuring families receive the support they need before and after a loved one’s death.
“Government funding only covers around a third of the cost of delivering our care. The generosity of local people is what enables us to continue providing our specialist support for patients and their families across West Sussex and East Surrey.
“This Hospice Care Week, we’re asking people to remember that hospice care doesn’t happen by chance. It’s made possible thanks to communities that choose to support their local hospice. Every donation, volunteer hour and fundraising effort helps ensure we’re there for local families when they need us most.”
Help St Catherine’s be there through the precious memories, final goodbyes and moments after. Every donation matters when time is short: www.stch.org.uk/donate
About Hospice Care Week
Hospice Care Week takes place from 5-11 October 2026. This year’s theme is “Don’t leave hospice care to chance”, highlighting the importance of ensuring everyone can access high-quality hospice care.
Key statistics and references:
About St Catherine’s Hospice
St Catherine’s Hospice provides specialist palliative and end of life care to people living with a terminal or life-limiting condition and their families across West Sussex and East Surrey.
Every year, the hospice cares for around 2,000 people living with a terminal or life-limiting illness on its hospice Ward or out in the community.
As well as expert medical and nursing care, St Catherine’s also provides emotional and practical support through its dedicated Wellbeing Team, which provides a range of services including counselling, bereavement support and spiritual care to patients and their families.
It costs around £14 million to run the hospice each year, but less than a third of this comes from the NHS. The rest is raised through the support and generosity of the local community.
Visit our website: www.stch.org.uk
A Crawley dementia support group is continuing to provide vital friendship, advice and practical help to local people, thanks to funding from Crawley Borough Council.
The council awarded Forget Me Not’s a £6,500 community grant this year, helping the group to run its popular Friday Lunch Club and Tuesday Support Evenings. The sessions provide people living with dementia and their carers with a welcoming and supportive place to meet others, enjoy homemade meals and entertainment, and access advice and practical support.
Councillor Sue Mullins, Cabinet member for Community Engagement and Culture, visited the Forget Me Not’s dementia support group during World Dementia Awareness Month to meet members and volunteers and hear about the difference the group is making.
More than 1,200 people have attended a Forget Me Not’s session over the past year, with attendance continuing to grow. The group has also helped members and their families with practical issues including benefits, legal matters and maintaining independent living.
It was wonderful to visit Forget Me Not’s and see first-hand the warm, welcoming environment they have created for people living with dementia and their carers.
The dedication of the staff and volunteers is making a real difference to residents’ lives, providing friendship and enjoyable activities as well as valuable advice and practical support. I’m delighted that our £6,500 grant is helping this fantastic group continue its work and build an even more supportive community in Crawley.
Councillor Sue Mullins
Cabinet member for Community Engagement and Culture
Crawley Borough Council
Forget Me Not’s is keen to welcome new members to ‘The Not’s’ club, as well as people who would like to get involved as volunteers. Find out more about Forget Me Not’sOpens in new window.
Food waste collection has started this week in Crawley.
New food waste collection bins and caddies have been delivered to individual houses.
These will be collected every week and general waste collections will move to every fortnight.
Flats and other properties with communal bins will remain on their current collection arrangement and will join the new service at a later date.