A COMMUNITY group has applied for £1,000 to boost its work in one of the latest bids for cash from the charitable arm of the Oxford Mail.

Once again the Gannett Foundation is offering grants to charitable causes across Oxfordshire.

And there are just a few days left to get applications in – the deadline is Monday.

Last year, three groups were handed more than £20,000 between them. Oxfordshire Playbus was handed £2,879 last year to buy a 20ft 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 cafe to train young people with learning difficulties.

And SpecialEffect in Charlbury received £7,000 so it could buy specialist computers which are controlled by the users’ eyes.

All three have encouraged others to apply for grants this year.

The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) has submitted an application for £1,000. Secretary David Gifford said: “We try to get different communities to come together to build relationships and break down barriers.

“We don’t just work with Christians and Jews. We are also inviting people from the Muslim community in the area. We try and create community understanding.

“Any funding we might get would go towards some of our new ideas of achieving this, such as creating a film to be shown to groups, which opens up communication.”

Witney charity Base 33 is another group seeking funding.

Director Claire Dowan said: “Any funding we get will help continue our vital work with young people in the Witney area. Life is hard when you are a charity.

“We work with a lot of young people who come up against the challenges of long-term unemployment, substance misuse or have left school with no qualifications.”

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

Charities can apply for up to £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.
  • Bids must be submitted on the approved application form, which can be downloaded at oxfordmail.co.uk/ gannettfoundation
  • Any applications which do not meet the criteria or which do not follow the 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

THOSE EXCLUDED

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).