Trust hands out almost £120,000 in grants

NEARLY 60 charities, community groups and good causes have shared almost £120,000 in the latest round of grants and donations distributed by the Louis Baylis Charitable Trust.

Trustees of the charity, which owns the Henley Standard, met in July to approve applications from organisations ranging from large charities to small grassroots groups.

Out of a total of £116,700, the largest grant was £12,500 given to East Berks Citizens Advice, while mobility charity People to Places and Thames Hospice each received £10,000.

Peter Sands , who chairs the Louis Baylis Trust, said: “The trust is delighted to once again distribute nearly £120,000 to applicants in the latest round of grants.

“This does include our regular beneficiaries such as Citizens Advice, People to Places and Alexander Devine but we have also been pleased to give extra help to an appeal by Thames Hospice for mobile IT equipment to help their outreach work, enabling them to support some 380 people in their own homes.

“Also, we have been able to help Maidenhead Rowing Club replace their floating pontoon — vital if they are to operate successfully — and other sports clubs locally with their equipment needs.

“I am sure I speak for all the trustees in saying it is a delight to be able to support so many and such a variety of organisations. If we had more money, we could certainly find worthy recipients.”

The trust was set up in 1962 by Louis Baylis to preserve the independence of the newspaper and support good causes.

In addition to the Henley Standard, it owns the Maidenhead Advertiser and the Slough and Windsor Express, which are produced for the trust under licence by Baylis Community Media CIC, an independent community interest company.

The Baylis trustees meet twice a year to approve grant applications. The next meeting will be in early December.

Grant application forms should be submitted by Friday, November 7 and can be found at www.louis
baylistrust.org.uk