Grants worth up to £50k to be won

Every year, the Gannett Foundation, a charitable trust set up by Gannett — the media company which owns the Newsquest Media Group, including the Bury Times, Radcliffe Times and The Bolton News — gives millions of pounds to good causes and charities.

Grants of up to £50,000 are up for grabs.

The foundation will only give cash to registered charities. Priority will be given to projects which would be of lasting benefit to the local community, youth schemes and those for people with special needs, as well as conservation, sport and local history schemes.

Gannett will not award grants to: individuals; organisations that are not registered charities; political, religious or uniformed groups; salaries, training costs, publicity funding or general running costs; endowment funds; general appeals, general contribution to costs or multi-year campaigns; medical or research organisations; animal charities or school groups, excluding special needs schools.

Anyone who has received funding from the charity in the last two years will not be eligible.

Earlier this year, three organisations benefitted from a total of £10,000.

Bury Cricket Club was awarded £3,450 to buy an outfield mower and update other machinery at the club, as well as new coaching equipment for younger players.

Two Bolton charities were also given cash.

Harmony Youth Project, which provides young people with a wide range of creative activities, including dance, music and art, was awarded £3,392. It will be spent on specialist equipment to allow youngsters with disabilities to enjoy their projects. A grant of £3,265 was given to disabled self-help group Good Companions for a new shed, greenhouse and other equipment for their allotment.

Application forms, which must include detailed costings for specified items or purposes, are available from Lisa Schofield, c/o The Bury Times, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton, or by calling 01204 537345. The closing date for applications is Tuesday, October 27.