Community groups in South Lakeland, Eden, north Lancashire and North Yorkshire are being invited to apply for grants, which could help them achieve their aims.

Money is available to worthy causes in the United Kingdom from the Gannett Foundation, which is sponsored entirely by Newsquest's parent company, Gannett Co Inc.

It will be distributed to community projects within the circulation area of Newsquest's more than 300 titles, which include The Westmorland Gazette.

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

In November this year. Grange and District First Responders group was awarded a £4,000 grant from the Gannett Foundation towards the cost of buying defibrillators and oter equipment. At Lancaster, Piccadilly Garden, which provides horticultural training for people with learning difficulties, was awarded £10,000 to improve its facilities.

Now there is an opportunity for other groups to apply for similar grants.

Margaret Strayton, Newsquest's group editorial manager and a trustee of the Gannett Foundation in the United Kingdom, said: "Priority is given to local community organisations for projects in the areas of help for homeless people, after-school activities for disadvantaged or disabled 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 the fund will not consider: N Unregistered charitable causes.

N Applications that are not made on the official form.

N Funding of salaries or general running costs.

N Endowment funds.

N Animal charities.

N Medical research.

N Causes promoting religion.

N funding for schemes already completed.

N Previous Gannett grant award winners.

If groups are not applying for the full sum required for a project, they must show evidence of proposals to raise any remaining funds needed.

The official application form and a copy of the Gannett Foundation guidelines can be obtained form Vicky Goodall, The Westmorland Gazette, 1 Wainwright's Yard, Kendal, Westmorland LA9 4DP, telephone 01539-710186, or by emailing vicky.goodall@kendal.newsquest.co.uk .

The deadline for submission is Saturday, March 24, 2007. Please note that a total of five copies of the application form must be submitted.

For more information about the grants, telephone 01539-710159.