COMMUNITY groups in South Lakeland, Eden, north Lancashire and north Yorkshire have the chance to share in a cash bonanza worth more than £270,000.

The money is available to worthy causes in the UK from the Gannett Foundation, which is sponsored entirely by Newsquest's parent company, Gannett Co Inc.

The allocation will be distributed to community projects within the circulation area of Newsquest's 319 titles, which include The Westmorland Gazette.

The Gannett Foundation supports projects which take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as neighbourhood improvements, economic development, youth development, education, community problem solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

In May this year, nine Cumbrian charities between them scooped grants worth more than £16,000 through the scheme. The charities were put forward for the grants by The Westmorland Gazette.

They included Kendal and South Lakes Shopmobility, which provides wheelchairs and electric scooters from its base at the Westmorland Shopping Centre at Kendal, allowing people with mobility problems to gain access to shops in the town. It received £4,500.

Cumbrian charity British Theatre for the Disabled received a £2,600 grant to equip South Lakeland care homes for the elderly with keyboards used by visiting performers and residents.

South Lakeland Carers, which supports young and unpaid carers, received £2,106; Lindale Bowling Association received £1,512 towards the cost of creating a new bowling green; and Kendal-based charity Workbase, which helps people suffering from mental illness make their way back into society, was given £1,073.

Margaret Strayton, Newsquest's Group editorial manager and a trustee of the Gannett Foundation in the UK, said: "Priority is given to local community organisations for equipment or running costs of projects in the areas of help for homeless people, after-school activities for disadvantaged children, youth organisations and community safety initiatives.

"Like many donors, we receive many more requests than we can fund but we do help where we can make a lasting difference to people in the communities we serve."

All donations are strictly at the discretion of the Fund, but applicants should note that the fund will not consider: l unregistered charitable causes l applications that are not made in writing on the official form l applications that alter the form or do not give full answers l funding of salaries or general running costs l endowment funds l animal charities l medical research l causes promoting religion The official application form and a copy of the Gannett Foundation guidelines can be obtained from Andrew Thomas, Deputy Editor, The Westmorland Gazette, 1 Wainwright's Yard, Kendal, Westmorland LA9 4DP or by emailing andrew.thomas@ kendal.newsquest.co.uk.

The deadline for submission in Friday, October 1, 2004. For more information about the grants, telephone 01539-710159.