Students in need in Thatcham, Bucklebury and Cold Ash urged to apply for further education charity grants

A CHARITY looking to financially support students in need in West Berkshire is seeking applications to take advantage of its funding.

For the second year running the Lady Frances Winchcombe Charity has received no applicants for grants despite advertising.

The charity is the oldest in West Berkshire, having started in the 16th century, and helps young people in the Thatcham, Cold Ash and Bucklebury areas.

It has helped students going into training or further education by giving grants of up to several hundred pounds.

Chairman of the Winchcombe Charity Dr Robert Tayton said that there were no applications last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it is hoped that the charity can resume its normal function in 2021.

He said that around £3,500 of funding was available to help around 10 people in need with attending higher education.

The funding is awarded by the trustees to ease the pressure on students in need and to enable them to have the training they want.

"You hear some pretty harrowing stories of people living on £5,000 a year and their children are trying to get into further education," Dr Tayton said.

The grants have been used to help with travel, provide tools needed for apprenticeships, help provide books and equipment for further education

Anybody interested in applying for a grant should contact Sandra Griffin, secretary to the Winchcombe Charity, 6 The Waverleys, Thatcham, RG18 3EZ for an application form. The next grants will be awarded at the trustees' meeting in July.