Cash on offer for good cause (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Cash on offer for good cause

Terry Anderson of Brimble Hill Special School with the horse he was able to ride thanks to a grant from the Gannett FoundationTHOUSANDS of pounds are up for grabs for charities in Wiltshire.

The Gannett Foundation Fund - the charitable arm of the Gazette & Herald's parent company - is on the hunt for charities that would benefit most from its Christmas cash grants, which can be as high as £5,000.

The foundation is particularly keen to hear from organisers of youth projects and those which benefit people with special needs.

And they have almost a month to get their applications in.

It supports projects which take a creative approach to issues, including:

Assisting disadvantaged people

Neighbourhood improvements

Education Youth development

Environmental conservation.

The winner of last year's grant was The Tuesday Club in Malmesbury.

The lunch club was awarded £300.

Last year's winners included Brimble Hill Riding For The Disabled, in Wroughton, which received £700.

Technology For The Disabled Tech 4D in Pinehurst received £1,000.

This year the Prospect Hospice in Wroughton is hoping to be considered for the grant.

In 2003, the hospice received the maximum £5,000.

"We were extremely grateful for the grant," said Jane McCutchan, the trust fundraiser at the hospice.

The grant was used to fund the hospice's Get Your Kit Off campaign.

"With the money we were able to purchase specially marked bags, which people could use to donate clothes and other items we could sell in our shops," she said.

"It was a win win situation because we helped the com munity to recycle more and it encouraged more people to donate quality items to our shops.

"We were very grateful for the money and fingers crossed our application this year will be considered in our 25th anniversary year."

The foundation wants more good causes across the Swindon area to apply for the grants.

All applicants must be registered as a charity and be willing to co-operate in publicising the grants.

Only applications on the official application form will be considered for a grant.

Click here for full details and entry form.