CHARITIES in and around the town have a chance to claim grants of up to £50,000 through the Swindon Advertiser.

The Gannett Foundation Fund, which is the charitable arm of the Advertiser's parent company Gannett, is looking for the registered charities which would benefit most from extra funding.

The foundation provides grants twice a year.

In 2006 the Coate Water Sailing Club made the most of an offered grant.

It was awarded £5,500.

And that huge helping hand allowed the club to buy new dinghies, life jackets and helmets.

"It really helped us so much to have the grant and we are hugely thankful to the Gannett Foundation," said Susan Bridge from the club.

"We would never have been able to afford those boats without the grant."

Crowdys Hill School was also in the Gannett money.

The Friends of Crowdys Hill School - a registered charity which fundraises for the school - were told of the grant in November.

The charity has been running for 18 years hosting discos, fun days and fetes to boost the school coffers.

It received a £5,500 grant last year.

The special school in Jefferies Avenue, Upper Stratton, spent the money on benches, developing seating areas and games which it is hoped will help meet the needs of the 120 pupils aged between 11 and 16.

Headteacher Pete Crockett said there had been work to be done in improving the way the school's playground allowed children to interact - and the money has helped.

And because of that the school said a big thank you to Gannett.

Margaret Strayton, the group editorial manager for Gannett, said: "The trust will always looks favourably on applications that will benefit a large number of people over a long period.

"The trustees place low priority on giving funds to groups or projects of short duration, like taking people on a holiday for a week - where is the lasting benefit here?

"Likewise, we often get applications from organisations, notably hospices, where the hospice is not even built.

"While the trustees may be prepared to help fund a piece of equipment or furniture at sometime in the future, they want to see the hospice up and running first."

Application forms and information on the criteria are available from the Swindon Advertiser in Victoria Road or by visiting our website at www.adver.co.uk Alternatively email editor@newswilts.co.uk We are giving away money to good causes - so get your applications in now.

The deadline for applications is Friday, March 20.