SCOTTISH charities could be in for a funding boost thanks to The Evening Times.

The Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of our parent company, distributes grants across the UK, benefitting good causes in the areas in which it sells newspapers.

Last year, the fund distributed more than a quarter of a million pounds to a range of charities, including a £7000 grant to the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland.

The money paid for upgrades to the hydrotherapy pool at the charity's Robin House children's hospice near Balloch, including blinds and new sensory equipment.

The pool is situated with floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the hills surrounding Loch Lomond.

Previously, some of the children with life-limiting illnesses who use the centre were disturbed by bright sunlight and unable to make use of the pool.

The new light projector sends moving and colourful images onto the white ceiling of the pool room allowing further sensory therapy for all children.

Victoria Buchanan, trust fundraising manager with CHAS, said: "The hydrotherapy pool is one of the hospice's most popular features.

"It's in constant use and families using our services love spending time together in there.

"But children with visual impairments and those who are photo sensitive were unable to use the room.

"That's why we were so grateful to receive this funding from the Gannett Foundation.

"The new blinds and equipment should make it usable by all the children.

"This will not only make it accessible to all, but also mean it can be used for a wider range of hydrotherapy and sensory activities for babies, children and young adults in our care."

The Gannett Foundation supports registered charities with projects which take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as neighbourhood improvements, local problem-solving, economic development, youth enterprise, assistance to disadvantaged or disabled people, care of the elderly, environmental conservation, and educational or cultural enrichment.

While preference may be given to ideas which create a durable legacy for the community, single events or projects of limited duration that otherwise meet the criteria will also be considered.

Grants range from a few hundred pounds to more than £10,000 in special circumstances.

This year, for example, the Foundation made an unusual but significant grant in support of the work of a nurse from Basingstoke, Natalie Mounter, who is fighting Ebola in Freetown with the King’s Sierra Leone Partnership.

The award of £20,000 was made in view of the urgency of the plight of the people of Sierra Leone – which ultimately affects and threatens everyone – and in recognition of the bravery of Natalie and others like her.

The Foundation will favour projects which demonstrate good planning, oversight and financial responsibility and charities must submit their most recent financial accounts as part of the application.

In addition, any supporting materials and further details concerning the overall aims of the charity should be included with each submission.

Each nomination will be judged on its own merits at the absolute discretion of the trustees, whose decision is final. Applications must be submitted on the approved application form, which can be downloaded from www.eveningtimes.co.uk.

The completed form and supporting document should be sent electronically via email to margaret.morrison@heraldandtimes.co.uk by 5pm on Friday, October 16, 2015.

Download the Gannent Foundation Application