CHRISTMAS could come early for community groups in Oxfordshire - with thousands of pounds in grants up for grabs from the parent company of The Oxford Times, Herald Series, Bicester Advertiser, Witney Gazette and Banbury Cake.

The Gannett Foundation's biannual scheme gives good causes grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 for community projects.

Dozens of voluntary organisations have already requested application packs - with the deadline for bids being Tuesday, October 17.

One charity to benefit from the scheme earlier this year was the Pathway Workshop, in Oxford, which provides jobs for disabled people.

The Blackbird Leys-based business used a £1,000 Gannett grant in January to buy uniforms for its staff, who make furniture out of recycled and waste timber.

General manager Jenny O'Loughlin said: "The staff were really pleased with their uniforms and it makes them feel like part of a team, which is what we're trying to get over to people.

"I would recommend anybody to apply for a Gannett grant - it makes such a big difference."

The foundation also donated £3,500 to arts organisation Ithacafor a digital camera, microphones, instruments and art materials.

The group, based at SS Mary and John School, in Meadow Lane, East Oxford, works with disabled and older people in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, as well as those wth mental health needs, learning disabilities, and physical or sensory impairments.

Other grant recipients in January were Dialability, which provides advice for disabled people, and received £5,000 for a specially-adapted garden at Oxford's Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre.

Adventure Plus, of Hillgrove Farm, near Witney, which organises activities for young people, bought kayaks and a mobile teaching unit with a £5,000 grant.

Every year, the US-based company pumps £545,977 into charities, and in the past four years has paid out more than £2.5m.

Applications are invited 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 send an e-mail to caroline. hyland@nqo. com The completed forms must be sent to Caroline Hyland, Newsquest Oxfordshire, Newspaper House, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0EJ.