FOUR Ryedale charities for young people and those with disabilities have received large financial boosts from the Gannett Foundation.

The foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett Co Inc, owner of the UK's largest publisher, Newsquest, which owns the Gazette & Herald.

It provides funding to support local organisations in areas where its publications operate and has granted a total of £11,350 to help four good causes.

Disabled people in Ryedale will be able to get out and about more after a £5,500 grant enabled the Ryedale Lions Club to purchase four battery-powered scooters.

The club is a voluntary service organisation that was founded in 1967 by men and women who wanted to serve their community and help people less fortunate than themselves.

It covers an area in northern Ryedale that stretches from Sutton Bank to Ebberston and supports and organises events like coach outings for the elderly and holidays for the visually impaired.

"This grant means that we can put more of these scooters onto the streets of Ryedale and give more people mobility. It really allows us to move forward into the 21st century," said secretary Geoff Otterburn.

The Old Farmstead Arts Project, based at Town End farm, Appleton-le-Moors, has received a £3,500 grant. The project runs a programme called Art Farm, which brings together local tutors, artists, craft workers and volunteers to provide courses for rurally-isolated young people and those with a physical or learning disability. The money will provide specially-adapted furniture and art materials.

Volunteer project manager Geoff Hutchinson said: "We did some research into where wheelchair users in Ryedale could stay and were disgusted to find there were only a few places. We thought that one of the best things we could do was provide a facility which would be the same or better than they have at home."

Ryedale Talking Magazine for the Blind and Partially Sighted, based in Pickering, was awarded £2,000 to assist with running expenses and replace equipment.

Each month, 15 volunteers record news and features which are then sent on loan for free to between 50 and 60 blind and partially-sighted listeners throughout Ryedale.

Treasurer Brian Crawley said: "We were delighted to receive the grant. The tapes are very well received."

The Scarborough group of Riding for the Disabled Association was granted £350 to buy specialist seat savers, leg stirrups and synthetic bridles.

"Riding has enormous physiotherapy benefits and gives them a lot of self-confidence because they are able to do something on their own. They also establish a valuable rapport with the ponies," said chairwoman Elisabeth Mitchell.

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, December 03, 2003