Gannett provides real foundation for charity (From Gazette & Herald)

Gannett provides real foundation for charity

VISITING a North Yorkshire beauty spot just got easier for people with mobility problems - thanks to cash donated by the owners of the Gazette & Herald.

The Gannett Foundation, the charity arm of our American parent company, has dished out thousands of pounds in the latest round of funding to worthy causes in our area.

Whitby and District Disablement Action Group has bought two heavyweight

scooters and two manual wheelchairs after being awarded £4,000.

Manager Nigel Staton said they would be added to its fleet, used on loan by

residents and visitors to the seaside town.

"Whitby is very hilly and people are getting bigger," he said. "We've got a range of scooters and wheelchairs. Most of our scooters take 18 stone but we needed some that were a bit more robust."

The charity's mission is to enable disabled people to live as conveniently as possible. It publishes guide books and information on good places to stay and visit, and organises social and educational activities for its 295 members.

"These new wheelchairs mean we can extend our services and hopefully we won't have to turn anyone wanting to hire away," said Nigel.

The Gannett Foundation puts up cash twice a year to help projects which

benefit the disabled or disadvantaged. Organisations are invited to bid for the funding, for which there is a set of criteria.

Updated: 15:36 Wednesday, February 01, 2006