Full Fibre UK ISP GoFibre Expands £50k Community Fund

Rural broadband ISP and network builder GoFibre (BorderLink), which is deploying a 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network around parts of the North of England and Scottish Borders, has expanded the availability of their existing £50k GoFurther charity fund to Aberdeenshire and Angus.

The GoFurther Fund was first launched last year, although its availability was initially limited to local charity projects and community organisations in the regions of Fife, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders etc. But this has now been expanded to include projects in Aberdeenshire and Angus too.

With up to £3,000 available for each recipient, the GoFurther Fund provides grants to those who meet the relevant criteria, including supporting the creation of work experience opportunities, developing skills and the local economy, promoting good health and wellbeing or actively tackling climate change and contributing to net zero targets in their local areas.

The GoFurther Fund is now receiving applications from Aberdeenshire and Angus charities and organisations until the 31st of March when the review process will then take place. More information on the funding criteria and how to apply is available at gofibre.co.uk/gofurtherfund.

Neil Conaghan, CEO of GoFibre, said:

“After the extremely positive feedback and awe-inspiring number of applications we received in round one, it is with great pride that we announce that the second phase of our GoFurther Fund is open to eligible organisations based in Aberdeenshire and Angus.

Having built relationships with locals and businesses in these communities as far back as 2022, we know that there is a host of vital community work taking place in these areas and encourage any groups who are in need of funding and think they may fit the criteria, to apply.”

GoFibre notes that around 20,000 premises across towns in Aberdeenshire and Angus are currently also in the process of being able to access their new full fibre broadband network, which has already gone live in the areas of Stonehaven, Newtonhill, Portlethen, Laurencekirk, Montrose and Kirriemuir, with construction underway in Forfar. The provider is otherwise expecting their network to reach a total of c.120,000 UK premises in early 2024, but they’re currently both live and in-build at 80,000 premises.

Customers of the new service can expect to pay from £36 per month for a 100Mbps package on a 24-month term with an included wireless router, which rises to £69 per month for their top 1000Mbps plan. The latter also comes with a bonus Wi-Fi extender (this can optionally be taken on other plans too for just £5 per month extra).