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Publisher's £270,000 boost for community groups

Community groups across the UK are set for a pre-Christmas windfall thanks to a regional publisher’s latest charity giveaway.

Some 46 organisations are set to benefit from grants totalling £270,000 handed-out by the Newsquest media group through its charitable arm, the Gannett Foundation.

The grants, ranging from more than £25,000 to £500, will help fund a host of good causes from buying soft toys for children with disabilities to helping homeless people.

Applications for the funds have to be made through Newsquest’s 270 regional and local newspapers, with the foundation’s trustees taking the final decision.

Group editorial manager Margaret Strayton, who is also chairman of the trustees, said: “Each local newspaper establishes its own priorities depending on local needs and following guidelines laid down by the Gannett Foundation.

“The Foundation supports projects, which take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as education and neighbourhood improvements, youth development, cultural enrichment and support for disadvantaged people.”

Now in its ninth year of making grants to community groups around the UK, the foundation has given away more than £5.5m to various organisations and charities.

It awards grants twice a year, in the spring and autumn. Application deadlines are published in all Newsquest-owned papers.

Some of the biggest grants went to Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue, which was awarded £21,450, Crossroads Care, Oxford (£25,300), and Wirral Autistic Society (£25,600)

Other recipients included Andover Mind (£3,900), Colchester Phoenix Swimming Club (£1,552), Southampton Sunday Lunch Project (£2,160) and Taunton’s Women’s Aid (£3,930).