CHARITABLE groups across South Lakeland, Furness, Eden, north Lancashire and North Yorkshire are being encouraged to apply for grants from the charitable arm of the company which owns this newspaper.

The money is being made available by the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of Gannett Co Inc, the parent company of Newsquest Media Group, whose titles include The Westmorland Gazette.

In the last ten years the Foundation has donated millions of pounds to charities and awards have included: £2,220 to Kendal Sea Cadets for two new dinghies; £1,540 to South Lakeland Carers for therapy room equipment; £7,790 to the Lakeland Arts Trust towards the cost of digitising photographs taken by Joseph Hardman; and, in 2014, £7,326 to St John's Hospice for a new 'home sitting' service offering respite to carers of terminally ill patients in south Cumbria.

Awards are made to registered charities and typically range between £5,000 and £10,000, although the Foundation actively encourages imaginative and ambitious projects on a larger scale.

Grants will be aimed at helping specific projects and not be given to finance general appeals, running costs or salaries. Grants will not be given to political or religious organisations or state or privately-run schools (other than those that cater for children with special needs), or hospitals (other than hospices).

The Foundation supports registered charities with projects which take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as education and neighbourhood improvements, economic development, youth development, local problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged or disabled people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

This year it is particularly encouraging applications from charities which work to support elderly people in our communities.

It values projects that bring lasting benefits to communities served by our local newspapers and websites.

Applications must be made on the official UK Gannett Foundation form, which is available by contacting Vicky Goodall on 01539 790256 or by emailing vicky.goodall@kendal.newsquest.co.uk Please do not use forms on Gannett’s American website.

Completed forms should be scanned and sent electronically in pdf format to vicky.goodall@kendal.newsquest.co.uk by 5pm on Friday, October 16, 2015. Submissions on paper will not be accepted.

Copies of a charity’s most recent financial accounts must also be sent in electronic format. In addition, any supporting materials and further details concerning the overall aims of the charity should be included, electronically, with each submission.

Anyone with queries should telephone 01539 790256 or 01539 790250.

Sue McGraw, CEO of St John’s Hospice at Lancaster, said: "The Gannett Foundation generously provided £7,326 towards the on-going costs of the St John’s Hospice night sitting service. This donation has touched the lives of so many in our community at one of the most vulnerable times of their life.

"The gift allows us to provide a vital service that is not only valued by the families we meet, but also reduces demand on our colleagues in the wider health and social care community."