THERE is just over a week left for charities to apply for up to £10,000 from the Gannett Foundation.

The foundation is once again offering grants to charitable causes across Oxfordshire.

Last year, three groups were handed more than £20,000 between them.

Oxfordshire Playbus was handed £2,879 last year so it could buy a 20 x 12ft stage for music festivals.

It was one of three charities across Oxfordshire awarded grants.

Oxford-based Yellow Submarine was given £10,800 so it could set up a café to train young people with learning difficulties.

And SpecialEffect in Charlbury received £7,000 so it could buy specialist computers which are able to be controlled by the user’s eyes. All three have encouraged others to apply for grants this year.

Spokesman for SpecialEffect Mark Saville said: “The Gannett grant has been a game changer.

“It has enabled us to buy equipment that has helped many severely disabled people to experience the fun, friendship and inclusion that results from being able to control a computer.”

Yellow Submarine manager Toby Staveley said: “I don’t think we would have been able to open this site if it wasn’t for the help of the Gannett Foundation. There is no way we could have done it.”

Tym Soper, of Oxfordshire Playbus, said: “I would tell anyone to go for it.

“It’s really good and has really helped us. It’s a simple process and it was great to be involved.”

Simon O’Neill, group editor of the Oxford Mail, said: “There is still time for people to put in their applications.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the wide range of causes which will be in the running this year.”

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett, which owns Newsquest and the Oxford Mail.

Charities can apply for between £5,000 and £10,000.

 

What to do

  • Each application will be judged on its own merits at the absolute discretion of the trustees, whose decision is final.
  • Applications must be submitted on the approved application form, which can be downloaded at oxfordmail.co.uk/gannettfoundation
  • Any applications which do not meet our criteria or which do not follow our rules and procedures will be rejected.
  • The completed form and any supporting documents should be received by Newsquest Oxfordshire before 5pm on Monday, September 16, 2013, via email to gannettapplications@nqo.com

The Trustees will not fund:

  • Salaries, professional fees or day-to-day running or maintenance costs
  • General appeals as opposed to specific projects
  • Projects that do not bring benefits to local communities
  • Political or religious organisations
  • State or privately-run schools (other than special needs) or hospitals (other than hospices).