Can we help you? (From Penarth Times)

Can we help you?

THE PENARTH TIMES is giving charities in the Vale the chance to improve their community by applying to the Gannett Foundation Fund.

We can give registered charity groups the chance of a helping hand with grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 on offer.

And there is still plenty of time, as the closing date is October 15.

All the funding comes thanks to Gannett, the American parent company of Newsquest and owners of your favourite local paper - the Penarth Times.

The Gannett Foundation supports projects which take a creative approach to issues like education and neighbourhood improvements, youth development, cultural enrichment and support for disadvantaged people.

This great opportunity ran throughout the Vale in March this year with fantastic results.

Four local charities, including ValePlus and the YMCA in Barry, were successful candidates and received much-needed funds.

Margaret Strayton, Newsquest's Group Editorial Manager and a trustee of the Gannett Foundation in the UK, said: "Like many donors, we receive many more requests than we can fund but we do help where we can make a lasting difference to people in the communities we serve."

Grants will not be given to individuals, organisations that are not registered charities, national or regional organisations unless the project specifies local community needs. Money is also not available for uniformed youth groups, as part contribution to salary whe-ther part or full time, promotion of religious causes, endowment funds, general appeals, general contribution to costs or multi-year campaigns, medical or research organisations or animal charities.

Grants will usually be for £1,000 but larger amounts may be given for exceptional projects.

For an application form click www.gannettfoundation.org/applicationUK.htm or contact Jackie Woolford on 01446 704980. Return the completed form to The Editor, Barry and District News, 156, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4TY.