Helping to make dreams come true in community (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Helping to make dreams come true in community

ONCE again the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of the publishers of the Gazette and Herald, is offering grants of up to £5,000 or even more to community groups to help them make their dreams come true.

The foundation supports projects that take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as education and neighbourhood improvements, economic development, youth development, community problem solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

Last year the foundation presented a grant for £10,000 to Devizes Contact a Family, a local charity which supports families with disabled children, towards the purchase of a new minibus.

The group asked for £5,000 but the trustees of the foundation were so impressed by the work of Contact a Family, they offered double the amount to get the charity on the road again.

Devizes Contact a Family chairman Colin Rossiter said: "One of our buses was falling apart so we are very grateful to Gannett for awarding us the grant which paid for a replacement minibus.

"The bus is used as an all-purpose vehicle. We have had it adapted to be able to carry wheelchairs.

"The minibus is used to transport children on outings, to youth club meetings at the Nursteed Centre and to Care Rowde for music therapy."

Other recipients included the Tuesday Club lunch club in Malmesbury, which received a grant for £300, Brimble Hill Riding for the Disabled in Wroughton, which picked up £700, and Technology for the Disabled (Tech 4D), which scooped £1,000.

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

It last received help from the foundation in 2003, when it landed a £5,000 windfall towards its Get Your Kit Off campaign.

Jane McCutchan, the trust fundraiser at the hospice, said: "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.

"It was a win-win situation because we helped the community to recycle more and it encouraged more people to donate high-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."

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

Applications must be made on an official form.

It is available from Sue Cockrem at the Devizes office of the Gazette and Herald on (01380) 731694 or email scockrem@newswilts.co.uk.

The completed application forms should then be returned to Gannett Grants, Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, 14 Market Place, Devizes SN10 1HT by October 14.