Groups which help to improve the lives of people in South Essex could benefit from up to £50,000, thanks to the Echo and sister papers the Gazette, Standard, Recorder and Weekly News.
Thousands of pounds of grants from the Gannett Foundation, the charitable trust of Gannett, the Echo’s parent company, will be awarded to charities which support the community.
Registered charities can apply for the grants, which range from £1,000 to £50,000, and projects that benefit disabled or disadvantaged people, or contribute to sport, the environment, education, conservation and other community based issues, will be given priority.
Wyvern Community Transport, which helps transport disabled and elderly residents around Rochford district, benefited from the last round of grants.
The bus service based at the Community Link Centre, in St Lukes Place, was awarded £25,000 to buy a new minibus which will be able to transport 16 people.
Manager of the service Andy Woodley, said: “The new bus will allow us to branch out our service into the local community.
“We will be able to transport more people with disabilities or impairments, and people who lives in parts of the district that are not served by public transport.
“It will also give us more scope in reaching out to people we don’t currently help such as schools and scout groups, which could also use the bus.”
The service is vital in helping people attend doctors and hospital visits, and enjoy shopping, bingo trips and days out.
Mr Woodley added: “This bus is an extremely important part of Wyvern and I have experienced the users response and satisfaction.”
A special school kitted out a sensory room for children with complex needs after receiving a cash boost from the Gannett Foundation.
Lancaster School, in Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff, were handed £3,500 for sensory wall panels to stimulate children with physical and neurological impairments.
Rachel Dennis, deputy head, said: “The money has been fantastic and it is vital to the work we do at the school.
“I would certainly recommend other groups apply for a grant.”
All donations are strictly at the discretion of the Fund, but applicants should note that the Fund will not consider:
·unregistered charitable causes
·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 or general running costs (including office equipment)
·endowment funds
·animal charities
·medical research
·causes promoting religion
Deadline for applications is October 16, 2008. All application forms and supporting documentation should be sent to:
Michele Newman
Echo Newspapers
Newspaper House
Chester Hall Lane
Basildon
Essex
SS14 3BL
For more information, or to request an application form in Word format, click here, or click here to download online.
To ensure you are eligible, please read the Gannett Foundation guidelines here.
