TIME IS running out if you want your charity to benefit from a fantastic funding boost courtesy of the owners of the Evening Times.

Closing date for entries to the Gannett Foundation awards is Friday, October 16 – so make sure your good cause does not miss out and apply today.

The Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of Newsquest’s parent company Gannett Co Inc, 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 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.

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.