YOUR Free Press is offering not-forprofit organisations and charity groups in Monmouthshire and Torfaen the chance to apply for grant funding of up to £10,000.

Every year, our parent company The Gannett Foundation, gives groups the opportunity of a helping hand with grants of between £5,000 and £10,000.

Last year the pupils and staff at Maes Ebbw special school welcomed a £29,466 grant to pay for a muchneeded new minibus.

The bus, which is for specially adapted for wheelchair users, is now used to take pupils with severe learning difficulties into the community for lessons, to local sports facilities and on day trips.

The award was one of the biggest ever given out by the Gannett Foundation, which supports projects and organisations in areas where it owns newspapers including the Free Press.

Other groups to benefit from grants in the past include Cancercareline and Torfaen Puffins Asthmatic Swimming Club.

Among the schemes it supports are education and neighbourhood improvements, youth development, assisting disadvantaged people and environmental conservation.

Gannett owns hundreds of newspapers, television stations and websites across the world, including UK news provider Newsquest, which runs the Free Press.

In the last ten years it has given grants in the UK totalling more than £4 million.

Applications can be downloaded here and can be returned by e-mail to newsdesk@southwalesargus. Forms will be made available at the South Wales Argus office on Cardiff Road, Newport.

Alternatively, forms can be returned by post to the Free Press, Cardiff Road, Maesglas, Newport, NP20 3QN, by October 14.

Conditions for applicants

  • APPLICANTS must be registered charties
  • Applicants must not have received a grant from us in the last two years
  • Grants will not be given to fund salaries, professional fees or day-to-day or maintenance costs; general appeals as opposed to specific projects; projects that do not bring benefits to local communities; political or religious organisations; state or privately run schools (other than special needs) or hospitals (other than hospices).
  • Download your application form