Blue Car Rental awards ISK 39 million to 33 causes
Wednesday 14th October 2026 on 20:31 in
Iceland
Blue Car Rental has awarded ISK 39 million to 33 causes, with the money raised at its annual Góðgerðarfest charity event on Saturday, mbl.is reports. The company said all proceeds from the event go directly to the recipients.
This year’s grants focused particularly on children and young people, specialised educational and support services, families facing difficult circumstances, mental health and community projects. A total of 115 companies and individuals supported the event. Its fundraising target was ISK 40 million, which organisers aim to reach next year.
About 50 organisations and projects have received support since Góðgerðarfest began. The event has raised around ISK 150 million in total.
Recipients this year included the South Iceland Cancer Society, the Píeta support organisation, Barnaheill, a children’s welfare organisation, and several specialised programmes at schools, including Viðja at Myllubakkaskóli, Eikin at Holtaskóli and Meistaravellir at Heiðarskóli. Other recipients included Hlýjan, a support service for young people; the South Iceland Rescue Team; Suðurhlíð, a centre for victims of violence in the region; and sports clubs and youth programmes in the area.
Grants have helped the Reykjanesbær rehabilitation centre establish a sensory room, buy equipment for art workshops and other groups, and organise social events and activities for service users. Lindin, a programme at Akurskóli, has used grants from the past two years to fund a sensory room and a 3D printer. Students are taught to use software connected to the printer and use it for creative projects.
Marteinn Eyjólfur Þórdísarson, chairman of the South Iceland Rescue Team, said the team depends on volunteers who give their time and energy to help others. Funding supports equipment and training and helps the team respond when the community needs it, he said.
Gunnhildur Gunnarsdóttir, co-founder of Hlýjan, said support from Góðgerðarfest had been crucial to establishing the service. Its aim is to let young people in Reykjanesbær seek support easily and free of charge, without going through a complicated process, she said.