We seek grant applications for Gannett fund (From Witney Gazette)

We seek grant applications for Gannett fund

LOCAL good causes can net thousands of pounds in hand-outs from a foundation set up by the parent company of Newsquest Oxfordshire - publisher of The Oxford Times, Herald Series, Witney Gazette, Bicester Advertiser, Banbury Cake and Oxford Mail.

The Gannett Foundation is offering awards of up to £5,000 for community charities that take a creative approach to community issues.

Groups and charities must make their applications by Thursday October 18 to be in with a chance of getting the funds.

Gannett gives out around £250,000 to charities every six months and earlier this year four Oxford groups were awarded more than £10,000.

The ACE Centre, based in Windmill Road in Headington, received £5,000 for Toys2Talk which lends toys to pre-school children who have severe physical difficulties.

Director Caroline Gray said: "It has been fantastic help it really has been very useful. We have used the money for children in Oxfordshire for a project with toy boxes.

"The project allows children with communication difficulties to learn how to communicate through playing. The money has really benefited us and I would recommend others to apply."

Meanwhile Orinoco, based at the Bullingdon Community Centre in Peat Moors, Headington, won £2,360 to spend on robust shelving units to store paint and art materials.

The charity collects unwanted waste and items such as garden tools and reuses them to as art and creative play materials for children.

The pottery workshop for blind and partially sighted people, Oxpots, based in Northmoor Road, was rewarded with £1,467 to buy a replacement kiln.

Oxford City Youth FC were also celebrating when they received £700 to go towards providing playing opportunities for young people with learning disabilities.

The official application form and a copy of the Gannett Foundation guidelines can be downloaded from this website by following the link on the right hand side of the homepage.

All donations are strictly at the discretion of the Fund, but applicants should note that the fund will not consider unregistered charities, applications that are not made in writing on the official form, applications that alter the form or do not give full answers, funding of salaries or general running costs, endowment funds, animal charities, medical research or causes promoting religion.

Completed forms should be sent to the Editor's PA, Newsquest Oxfordshire, Newspaper House, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0EJ.