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: £7,326 to St John's Hospice for a new 'home sitting' service offering respite to carers of terminally ill patients in south Cumbria; £7,790 to the Lakeland Arts Trust towards the cost of digitising photographs taken by Joseph Hardman; and, in 2016, £6,100 to The Bendrigg Trust, a residential activity centre specialising in high-quality courses for disabled and disadvantaged people, for a wheelchair swing and £3,020 for an interactive whiteboard to Sight Advice, which helps visually impaired people in South Lakeland.

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 bring lasting benefits to communities and 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 the needs of rural communities.

Applications must be made on the official UK Gannett Foundation form.

Download it here: GANNETT FOUNDATION application form 2016.docx

Completed forms should be scanned and sent electronically in pdf format to vicky.goodall@kendal.newsquest.co.uk by 5pm on Friday, October 14, 2016. 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.

Trevor Clarke, principal of the Bendrigg Trust, said the wheelchair swing was currently being installed. "The swing the Gannett Foundation funded will enable more families with disabled children to benefit from coming into the countryside and enjoying themselves."