ATTENTION, all Swindon charities.

Grants are being offered out by the Gannett Foundation to local projects which aim to bring lasting benefits to their communities.

The foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett, the parent company of the Adver’s owners Newsquest.

The Gannett Foundation is now taking applications for its yearly batch of generous grants to areas covered by its newspapers and websites.

Last year, the Swindon and Cricklade Railway won £1,690 for two defibrillators.

Bill Polling is a volunteer who is in charge of getting grants for the railway.

He said: "Defibrillators are one of those things that you need but hope to never use.

"We're very happy to have and them and very grateful to Gannett for their grant.

"It would have been difficult to raise the money for them internally because there are so many other things we need.

"We have one at each of our stations and our staff are all trained to use them.

"Fortunately, we haven't had to use them yet."

A spokesperson for the Gannet Foundation said: “We support those registered charities with projects which take a creative approach to fundamental issues.

“For example, neighbourhood improvements, local problem-solving, economic development, youth enterprise, sport and healthy living, assistance to disadvantaged or disabled people, care of the elderly, environmental conservation, and educational or cultural enrichment.

“We entertain applications of any size or ambition.

“Typically our grants are modest sums for practical projects, but we will consider awards to larger projects which deserve our backing.

“We are also able to join with other contributors to support elements of larger projects

“However, we prefer to be in a position of making a donation which will fund a project entirely or which constitutes the final instalment to complete a project.”

Copies of the charity’s most recent financial accounts must be submitted with the application.

In addition, any supporting materials and further details concerning the overall aims of the charity should be included with each submission.

Applications must be submitted on the approved application form here.

Send the completed form and supporting document to ian.parker@newsquest.co.uk

Submissions on paper are not encouraged, but if unavoidable, they must be sent to Swindon Advertiser, 1 & 2, Richmond House, Edison Park, Swindon SN3 3RB.

All applications must arrive by 5pm on Monday October 8 2018.