CHRISTMAS has come early for a trio of North Yorkshire charities - thanks to the Evening Press.

York Wheels, Selby District Vision and Malton, Norton and District In-Touch have all scooped awards from the Gannett Foundation.

They have been given a combined total of £16,000 from the body - a charity wing of the American newspaper giant, which is the parent company of the Evening Press.

York Wheels was handed an £8,000 Christmas cracker to help its work providing community transport for the elderly and those with mobility problems.

The cash goes nearly a third of the way to paying for a new mini-bus for the group, based at York District Hospital.

Chairwoman Ruth Potter said she was delighted when she heard the group had been given a grant. "This is an extremely good contribution," she said.

"We are very grateful to Gannett and the Evening Press. We kept our fingers crossed and are delighted to have won."

Receiving £4,000, Selby District Vision will use the money to help provide even more services for the blind and partially-sighted people it serves.

Christine Stell, chairwoman to the trustees, said: "This is much-needed money. It will pay for equipment which we need to bring in. We are pleased to have won."

Also receiving £4,000 was Malton, Norton and District In-Touch group.

Based out of a mobile office, the group supports visually impaired adults in the Ryedale area. Many of its users are over 65.

It will use the money to continue to counter isolation and ensure that loss of sight does not rule out enjoying a rewarding retirement.

Rachel Popham, organiser and development worker, said the group was "still glowing" from the news of its cash bonanza.

She said: "Older visually-impaired people are a neglected group which need support. It is a worthy group and we are absolutely delighted to have been given a grant."

Handing over the cheques, Evening Press assistant editor Bill Hearld said: "Once again, our American owners have looked kindly on groups in the Evening Press area.

"We had dozens of applications, all were worthy, and it's a shame some had to be disappointed this time. But we are delighted for the three groups who have received grants and impressed by the diversity of their work."

Updated: 10:03 Wednesday, December 11, 2002