CHARITIES are being offered the chance to bag funding through the Daily Echo.

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett Co Inc, owner of Newsquest Media Group.

The company publishes the Southern Daily Echo and other local newspapers, websites and magazines across the UK.

It 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.

Daily Echo editor-in-chief Ian Murray handed over the cheque.

The Hampshire Riding Therapy Centre in Eastleigh also received £3,000, which it spent on a new horse for older children.

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 on September 12.

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