Gannett giveaway helps Wiltshire charity groups do more (From Wiltshire Times)

Gannett giveaway helps Wiltshire charity groups do more

8:00pm Friday 9th December 2011 in News By Chris Melvin

Thousands of pounds of charitable grants have been distributed in west Wiltshire thanks to the parent company of the Wiltshire Times.

Every year the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of Gannett, which owns the Wiltshire Times, offers grants to groups which can show lasting benefits to their communities.

This year Splitz in Trowbridge received £5,490 towards its Newburn Cookery House project, which will teach vulnerable mums how to prepare and cook cheap but nutricious meals for themselves and their babies.

Andrew Farrow, fundraising co-ordinator at Splitz, said: “We’re thrilled, particularly at a time when fundraising is so difficult, to have the support of the Gannett Foundation.

“It just makes life so much easier and gives us a real boost. In terms of the mums and babies in the project, it will provide them with some really exciting opportunities.

“It’s the whole teaching someone to fish idea. Hopefully they will be able to look after themselves in the longer term without needing ongoing support, but we will provide that if they need it.”

The project should now be up and running within months, with the grant money earmarked for ingredients and equipment.

Also benefiting from a grant was Trowbridge’s Monday Wednesday Club, based in Wesley Road Church hall.

It received £2,800 which will be put towards organising various day trips for the 35 disabled adults the group suports.

Group leader Joyce King said: “We’re absolutely thrilled, it’s thoroughly appreciated. The money will go towards next year’s trips – we have to hire a lift-assisted coach, which gets very expensive.

“We haven’t got round to organising next year’s trips yet, but we always go to the sea.”

Another beneficiary was the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, which received £5, 774.

The trust works to restore the former waterway between Melksham and Chippenham and Calne up to the River Thames at Abingdon, which fell into disuse 100 years ago.

The money will be used to excavate and rewater a 160-metre stretch at Pewsham, adjoining a stretch which received the same treatment last year.

The trust, which depends on volunteers, hopes to involve local schools in the project to learn about the canal’s heritage.