Good causes across Basingstoke have received grants from a local charity following a “difficult year”.

The Four Lanes Trust handed out grants collectively worth over £12,000 to organisations which improve life in north Hampshire, with a particular focus around the Basingstoke and Deane area. 11 groups received funding this year, with one of them, the Whitchurch Conservation Group, saying the money “meant everything”.

Lucie Follett-Maitland, of Whitchurch Conservation Group, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funding by the Four Lanes Trust; it has meant everything to us in a particularly difficult year.

“The funding has allowed us to hire a local company to create the website for our annual family arts festival, the Whitchurch Children's Festival, and showcase the range of activities available.

“It will be a very useful tool for us going forward to gain funding from other external grant funders so that we can look to continue as a sustainably funded entity.”

The Four Lanes Trust was founded in 1974 by Christopher Makins, the second Baron Sherfield. It awards money to causes primarily in the areas of community action, education and the arts.

Since its foundation, it has given around £1 million in support to a variety of causes, with grants ranging between £500-£1000 but sometimes more.

The trust said that at its most recent meeting, there were a variety of applications with “a strong ethos of working to provide benefit and support”.

A spokesperson for the trust said: “The majority of applications were made by volunteers who work tirelessly to make a difference to those in their community. Without the commitment and dedication of these volunteers many of these groups would not be in existence and their communities poorer.”

The money will be spent on a variety of projects, including new goal posts for a new, much needed multi-purpose sports pitch, funding for dance workshops in schools, and IT provision for community groups.

In total, £12,121 was given out to organisations including St John’s Primary School, Kala The Arts, Sebastian’s Action Trust, Clifton Meadow, Basingstoke Disability Forum, and the North Waltham Petanque Group.

The next meeting of the trust is in November 2021. Members of the public who are part of, or know a local school, community or arts organisation that could benefit from a grant from The Four Lanes Trust, members are invited to contact Anne: ablackmore@fourlanestrust.org.uk or visit the website for more information: www.fourlanestrust.org.uk