CHARITIES and community groups are being encouraged to apply to a foundation which has given nearly £4million to good causes.

The Gannett Foundation, which is the charitable arm of Gannett Co Inc, which owns Daily Echo's parent company, Newsquest Media Group, awarded thousands of pounds last year to various projects.

Across the country, £3,000 was presented to the Wales Deaf Rugby Union, £2,500 was given to a community hall to allow members to modernise their staged area and £7,200 for a walk-in cold room for a community farm shop.

Earlier this year, £6,000 from the Gannett Foundation was granted to Faithworks Wessex, based in Southbourne, which helps homeless people, and £5,250 to Julia's House children's hospice based in Corfe Mullen.

The foundation provides funding to support local projects and organisations in areas where Newsquest operates. In the past 10 years, the Gannett Foundation has been able to hand out grants worth nearly £4million to causes in the UK.

A spokesperson on behalf of the Gannett Foundation said: "Each year we choose a special theme and encourage relevant applications. The needs of rural communities is the chosen theme for 2016. But of course we will give equal consideration to all other applications we receive that meet our general criteria.

"We value practical and creative projects that bring lasting benefits to the communities and neighbourhoods served by our newspapers and online audience.

"That includes schemes for neighbourhood improvement and local problem-solving, economic development, youth development, education and cultural enrichment, care of the elderly or infirm, help for the disadvantaged or disabled, and environmental conservation."

Application forms can be downloaded below

GANNETT FOUNDATION APPLICATION FORM 2016.doc

Completed forms must be sent to Amanda Langton, PA to the Managing Director, no later than 5pm on Friday, October 14, 2016 and any attachments to the forms such as discs or USB sticks are non-returnable.

These can be emailed to amanda.langton@bournemouthecho.co.uk or posted to: Amanda Langton, PA to the Managing Director, Daily Echo, Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6HH.