Standard gives local charities pots of cash (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Standard gives local charities pots of cash

THERE was great news for local charities this week as the Standard gave away grants totaling nearly £15,000.

The beneficiaries are Cirencester Housing for Young People, Cirencester Opportunity Group, Noah's Ark Children's Venture in Eastleach and the Gloucestershire branch of The Musicspace Trust.

The funds come from the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of the American company Gannett, owner of the Standard's publisher, Newsquest.

The foundation provides funds in support of local organisations and projects affecting young people and people with disabilities.

In the United Kingdom this year, priority was given to youth projects that particularly engaged and involved young people in the development of those projects, and projects that benefited people with special needs either through disability or disadvantage.

Charities were invited to apply through Newsquest titles all over the country.

Standard editor Peter Davison said: "This is the Standard's way of giving something back to the community that supports it.

"We're delighted to be able to help out these local good causes. Each of them, in its own way, is extremely deserving.

"I'm very grateful to the committee that decided which schemes were deserving of a grant that it chose four good causes that applied through the Standard."

Cheques will be presented in November.