A charity which aims to improve educational opportunities to people in the Petersfield area has offered to “throw money” to people in a nearby village.

John Lees and Michelle Snow gave a short presentation about the John Goodyer Charity to Sheet Parish Council last Monday (July 9).

The charity is named after the 17th century botanist and translator who lived on The Spain in Petersfield.

A fund was started in his name to “help the poor children of Weston, Hampshire” with the radius later being expanded to include Petersfield, Buriton, Stroud, Steep and Sheet.

Although the pot has depleted over the years, councils, organisations, people and groups within the area can apply for funding if there’s an education benefit.

“It’s to support people, not just schoolchildren,” said Mr Lees, best known for being a Petersfield town councillor.

“If you’re 76 and want to take up basket weaving then we will consider a grant application. 

“We don’t have a lot of funding but we do have this money which we need to give out to people to keep the charity going. We’re actually quite desperate to give away funds.”

He added: “We accept any application from people with addresses in the area and we have supported Steep school, as they’ve applied for grants for things like residential school trips.

“If the parish council wants to apply for a grant for new play equipment then we could provide a very small grant. We’re almost here to throw money at you.”

For more details email [email protected]