ALMOST £9,000 has been awarded to a number of organisations thanks to a Basingstoke charity.

The Four Lanes Trust is a charity which was set up in 1974 by Christopher James Makins, Baron of Sherfield, who set aside a large amount to be spent on worthy local causes in the borough before emigrating to America.

The charity focuses grants on ideas that will promote the arts, social and community action, and education across the Basingstoke area.

And in their latest round of funding, the charity has awarded £8,923 to 14 local organisations.

Among the chosen groups are Inspero which has been given £1,000 for kitchen equipment, £500 for Bramley and Dummer village halls for improvement projects, £1,000 for Age Concern Basingstoke to support its cafe and £1,000 for the Basingstoke Community Furniture Project to fund accredited training equipment for its volunteers.

Director Bob Carr told The Gazette: “Small grants can make big difference for our voluntary and community groups. The money is here.”

To apply for a grant, contact Bob Carr on 01256 477990 or email bobcarr@fourlt.fsnet.co.uk. More information about the trust can be found at fourlanestrust.org.uk.