ARE you in a group needing money to improve a particular project? Do you know a youth organisation that requires a bit of help?

Or perhaps there is a group helping the homeless that could do with some new equipment to get them back on their feet?

Whatever the help required, community organisations can apply for a Gannett Foundation grant to help pay for equipment needed or running costs.

The Gannett Foundation is a charitable trust set up by the United States media company Gannett. Gannett owns the Newsquest Media Group which publishes newspapers all over Britain, including the Bolton Evening News.

Among the groups to have benefited from the cash this year is the Bolton Hospice Inpatient Unit, which received £10,000 towards the £19,787 of a specialist bath, and Bully Free Zone, which was awarded £5,000 to make a video about where young victims can find support. The Bolton Mountain Rescue Team also benefited from the Foundation, receiving £1,520 to improve communications equipment.

The Foundation has provided funding to support local organisations across Britain, concentrating on those which take a creative approach to issues such as education, neighbourhood improvement and youth development. Grants will not be given to the following groups: unregistered charitable causes, applications not made in writing on the official form, applications that alter the form and do not give full answers, funding of salaries or general running costs, endowment funds, animal charities, medical research and causes promoting religion.

Applications must be submitted on the official application form which can be obtained by writing to the Editor's Secretary, Gannett Grants, Bolton Evening News, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton, BL1 1DE. More details are available on 01204 537345. The closing date for applications is October 4.