THE Runcorn and Widnes World is once again offering charities in the area the chance to apply for a Gannett grant with up to £10,000 on offer.

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett Co, Inc., owner of Newsquest Media Group, which publishes regional and local newspapers, websites and magazines across the UK including the Runcorn and Widnes World.

The Gannett Foundation provides funding to support local projects and organisations in areas where Newsquest operates.

The funds are managed by the Quartet Community Foundation.

In the last 10 years alone, the Gannett Foundation has made grants in the UK alone totalling nearly £4 million.

The Foundation values 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.

A spokesman added: “We particularly invite clearly reasoned applications asking for specific items of equipment or materials.

“Most of our applications are for relatively modest sums meeting every-day needs, but we will consider worthwhile projects on a bigger scale.

“And we are also able to join with other contributors to support elements of more ambitious projects.

“While preference will be given to ideas which create a durable legacy for the community, we will consider single events or projects of limited duration that otherwise meet our criteria.”

Each year a special theme is chosen and 2016 will see us focussing on the needs of rural communities.

But of course equal consideration will be given to all other applications we receive that meet our general criteria.

Last year examples of grants made included £3,000 for the Wales Deaf Rugby Union, £2,500 to modernise the stage at a busy community hall in the north west and £2,500 for a new pony for disabled riders in Cheshire.

Applicants must be registered charities and must not have received a grant from us within the last two years.

We will not fund salaries, professional fees or day-to-day running or maintenance costs, general appeals as opposed to specific projects, projects that do not bring benefits to our local communities, political or religious objectives or state or privately run schools (other than special needs) or hospitals (other than hospices).

For further details and to download an application form, visit runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/gannett_foundation_awards_2016/

Deadline for entries is October 14, 2016.