HORSE-RIDERS at Hampshire Riding Therapy Centre, at Fisher’s Pond near Eastleigh, have a new horse thanks to the Daily Echo’s parent company.

Echo Boston is a 13-year-old chestnut gelding Clydesdale.

He was bought with a grant from the Gannett Foundation – the charitable arm of Gannett Co Inc, owner of Newsquest Media Group and the Daily Echo.

The riding centre’s Mandy Evans said: “He is a very popular horse because of his calm and laid-back nature and he enjoys fuss and attention.

“His favourite activity is a beach ride. His ears always perk up when he walks off the lorry at the beach and sees the sand and water.”

The Gannett Foundation supports charities in the areas in which it publishes newspapers and websites that take a creative approach to issues such as education and neighbourhood improvements, economic development, youth development, problem-solving in their areas, assistance to disadvantaged or disabled people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

It particularly values projects that bring lasting benefits to the communities served by Gannett’s papers and websites.

Applications of any size or ambition are invited but are typically for projects that require and merit awards of between £5,000 and £10,000. However, more modest applications will also be considered.

The Gannett Foundation will favour projects that demonstrate good planning, oversight and financial responsibility.

Last year the Enham Trust, based just outside Andover in Enham Alamein, was given £10,300 to fund two bespoke kitchens designed to be fully accessible to people who use wheelchairs.

An application form can be found at dailyecho.co.uk and the completed form and supporting documents – including most recent financial accounts and the overall aims of the charity – should be sent via email to anne.dickie@dailyecho.co.uk by 5pm by September 12.

Submissions on paper should be sent to: Anne Dickie, Southern Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton, SO16 9JX.