Charities in Oxfordshire are being offered a helping hand by the Oxford Mail's parent company with thousands of pounds on offer.

The Gannett Foundation's grant scheme gives good causes the chance to bid for between £1,000 and £5,000 for community projects.

Every year, the US-based company pumps $950,000 (£545,977) into charities, and in the past four years has paid out just over £2.5m.

Oxford Mail editor Simon O'Neill said: "We live in a cost-conscious age and charities and community groups are often the first to feel the effects of cutbacks in local government spending and private funding.

"That is why The Gannett Foundation is playing an increasingly important role in local communities. I'd like every penny they award to go to Oxfordshire, but that's impossible.

"However, we have a good track record of attracting substantial grants from the foundation and I would urge charities and community groups which qualify to bid for a grant."

Dialability, which provides advice for disabled people, is a volunteer-run group which was given £5,000 in January towards a sensory garden.

Sue Butterworth, of Dialability, which is based at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford, said the cash boost had really helped.

She said: "We were really grateful and enormously excited to receive the grant. We will definitely be applying again."

Springboard Family Project, based in Carterton, was among three Oxfordshire charities to get funding from the foundation early in 2004.

The £1,200 it received went towards a computer with Broadband Internet access, new toys, and holiday activities for children.

Fundraiser Lorraine Collis said the new equipment had made a real difference to the lives of many children and families.

Applications are sought from any charity or group running projects that take a creative approach to community issues, including education and neighbourhood improvements, youth development, and conservation.

Grants cannot go to individuals, groups that are not registered charities, religious causes, endowment funds, general appeals or multi-year campaigns, animal charities, or medical and research groups.

For an application form, call Caroline Hyland, PA to the editors, on 01865 425407, or e-mail caroline.hyland@nqo.com.

The completed forms must be sent to Newsquest Oxfordshire, Newspaper House, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0EJ, by Wednesday, April 19.