TIME is running out for good causes to apply for Oxford Mail grants.

The charitable arm of this newspaper’s parent company, The Gannett Foundation, is looking to give financial aid to charities that help their communities. Applications must be lodged by tomorrow.

Across the UK, Gannett hands out £250,000 to good causes every six months.

Community projects can submit applications for a grant of up to £50,000.

Last May, mental health group Restore, in Didcot, was one of three charities to benefit from payouts totalling more than £20,000.

The charity supports people with mental health problems by providing training, encouragement, a supportive environment and one-to-one help.

It was given £15,000 towards a new minibus.

Manager Olivier Guillot said: “To have this new van has made life so much easier for use. We pick people up from all over south Oxfordshire so it is very important to have a reliable vehicle.”

The Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, at Milton Park, near Didcot, was given £2,632 to install an automatic door for its entrance.

The county branch of Age UK, formerly Age Concern, received £3,800 to create new rooms for older people to talk to staff in confidence at its centre in Banbury.

In January 2009, Trax, a charity which helps young people with behavioural problems, was given £9,000 for a new kitchen for its base at Red Barn Farm in Oxford.

Trax project manager Lyndon Biddle said: “It has made a massive change at Trax, not only with the young people benefiting but the staff as well.”

The Gannett Foundation provides funding to projects that take a creative approach to local community needs and benefit a large number of people.

The foundation gives priority to projects of lasting benefit, those which help people with special needs either through disability or disadvantage, sport, environment, conservation and local history projects.

All donations are strictly at the discretion of the fund, but applicants should note that the fund will not consider unregistered charities, applications that are not made in writing on the official form, applications that alter the form or do not give full answers, funding of salaries, running costs, endowment funds, animal charities, medical resea-rch or the promotion of religion.

Completed forms should be sent to the Editor’s PA, Newsquest Oxfordshire, Newspaper House, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0EJ.