PEOPLE are often unaware that many smaller local charities exist in the Kendal area, which contain exhaustible yet available funds which are often underused.

Over the coming weeks, The Westmorland Gazette's Worthy Causes column will focus on some of these lesser-known charities.

In the first of the series, reporter Lisa Frascarelli puts the spotlight on a fund which aims to promote education in the town.

Formed between 1992 and 1993, the Schools of Science and Art charity is the result of an amalgamation of seven older charities all with the common aim of promoting education in Kendal.

Many of the original charities were set up by wealthy and prominent members of Kendal society during the Victorian era and had become unproductive as their initial aim bore no relevance in today's society.

Kendal Town Council, the charity's trustees, decided to unite these older charities to increase their income and make them beneficial to a larger group of people.

One of the original charities, the William Gardiner Memorial Prize fund, was set up in 1945 by the balance of a fund created in memory of William Gardiner.

He was the former head teacher of Kendal Green School, and the fund's aim was to provide "annual book prizes, for successful scholars of the Kendal Elementary Schools in the Minor Scholarship Examination."

Mr Gardiner, affectionately known as 'Boss Gardiner' by scholars, was instrumental in improving the standard of local education.

During his headship, attendance at the primary school soared and a new wing had to be built to accommodate the influx of pupils.

Another generous benefactor was James Allen (pictured in our Worthy Causes logo).

The Kirkby Lonsdale-born draper ran his business in Kendal for more than 60 years and, after his death, he bequeathed nearly £25,000, which formed two of the original charities - The Augmentation of the Librarian's Salary Fund and the Allen Special Book Fund.

Allen's trustees donated £10,000 of this money for the building of the Allen Technical Institute in 1912.

Kendal Town Council has stayed true to Mr Allen's wishes that the money "Must be for the benefit of the inhabitants of Kendal." Last year the fund paid for grants as diverse as the redecoration of the education room at Abbot Hall to the funding of overseas educational expeditions.

Kendal Town Treasurer and the administrator of the Schools of Science and Art, Phil Hull, explained that, at the moment, many people seemed ignorant of its existence: "Last year we gave away £655 out of the available £823 and the year before the fund was extremely underused."

There is no age restriction for potential applicants.

The only criteria for qualification is that applicants must live in Kendal and the application must have an education bent to it with a charitable aim.

Potential applicants should apply in writing to Kendal Town Council outlining why they qualify for the fund and what they intend to use it for.

TRUSTEES: Kendal Town Council

PURPOSE: To promote education in Kendal

INCOME FOR 2001: £823

HOW TO APPLY: Apply in writing to Kendal Town Council, Kendal Town Hall, Kendal