IT’S that time of year again, when the Evesham and Cotswold Journals look to give away thousands of pounds to local charities.

We are looking for local groups and organisations to benefit from the Gannett Foundation – the charitable arm of Gannett Co Inc, the parent company of Newsquest Media Group and owner of the Journal.

We value projects that bring lasting benefits to the communities and neighbourhoods served by our newspapers and online audience, including schemes for neighbourhood improvement, economic development, youth development, education and cultural creativity, help for the disadvantaged or disabled and environmental conservation.

We particularly invite clearly reasoned applications asking for specific items of equipment or materials. This could mean anything from a box of toys for disadvantaged children to sophisticated medical equipment for cancer research.

This year the trustees are keen to see applications that help support the needs of rural communities.

Previous beneficiaries have included St Richard’s Hospice in Wildwood Drive, Worcester which received £5,720 to buy syringe pumps, to help patients with symptom control and Sight Concern Worcestershire which used its £7,200 grant to relaunch its newsletter Sightlines.

Typically the grants are between £5,000 and £10,000, although more modest applications are welcome.

The trustees who will decide on the winning applications will be looking for projects that demonstrate good planning, oversight and financial responsibility and their decision is final.

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

Charities must submit copies of their most recent financial accounts (where required by the Charities Commission), any supporting materials and details concerning the overall aims of the charity.

Applications must be submitted electronically on the approved application form, obtained from the website worcesternews.co.uk/gf.

Paper applications will not be accepted.

Any applications which do not meet our criteria will be rejected.

The completed form and supporting document should be returned to roni.skye@midlands.newsquest.co.uk by 5pm on Friday, October 14.