THOUSANDS of pounds have been handed out to good causes in York and North Yorkshire.

The Gannett Foundation - a charity arm of the Evening Press's American owners, Gannett, has sent cheques to benefit York Shakespeare Project, York Blind & Partially Sighted Society and the Ryedale Detached Youth Work Project.

The £5,000 awarded to York Shakespeare Project will help the charity perform all 37 of Shakespeare's plays within 20 years.

The next production, in December, will be Love's Labours Lost.

Director Chris Rawson said part of the money would pay for some of the performances to be signed for deaf people and scribed for blind people.

He said: "We're overwhelmed and the money really has come at an opportune time.

"We're keen to ensure a constant stream of young people coming on board, as people who will be involved in the final group of plays have perhaps not even thought of acting yet or are possibly not even born yet."

The group hopes to involve amateur groups and schools in acting, working backstage and related projects.

Meanwhile, an award of £1,250 will help Ryedale Detached Youth Work Project produce a young person's street survival guide for Ryedale.

Produced with the help of young people, the guide will provide information on a range of issues such as housing and health.

Project line manager Gill Garbutt said: "It will be a signpost, so if you have a problem it will tell you where to go and who to speak to.

"Detached youth workers generally have young people coming up to them in the street asking for advice but don't always have the time to give them details.

"Now they'll be able to provide something for them to take away and read, as well as spending time with them."

York Blind & Partially Sighted Society has been awarded £1,470 to buy six Easy Readers - equipment to magnify print.

Fundraising manager Linda Hill said: "We're absolutely delighted to receive this money.

"The Easy Readers will make a huge difference to the lives of six people who will be able to read newspapers, letters, and print from tablet bottles without having to rely on anyone else. It will bring them independence."

Last year, the Gannett Foundation awarded £3,500 to York and District News for the Blind, £1,000 to York Tuesday Viking PHAB Club and £2,500 to The Wilberforce Trust.

York-based Friendly Film Society for the Disabled was presented with a new projector, worth up to £5,000.

Previously, groups including SNAPPY, York Nightstop, Selby District Vision, Malton, Norton and District In Touch Group and York Rape Crisis have all benefited from the scheme.

Auditions for Love's Labours Lost will be held at Southlands Methodist Church, Bishopthorpe Road, York, on July 31 and August 7, between 10am and 4.30pm.

Updated: 11:03 Friday, June 11, 2004