Rotary Club of Windsor is taking applications for its 2018 Youth Foundation Trust

Established in 1996, the Trust offers assistance grants to a maximum of $1200 in five categories: cultural, disability, sports, education, or any other purpose approved by the Trustees.

Since its inception, the Trust has provided almost $180,000 to assist youth attain their goals.

This has included travel to places such as China; competition in state and national sporting championships and even competing in the 2000 Olympics.

Kurrajong Heights student Matilda Harry (19) was a Trust recipient in 2016, allowing her to purchase school supplies and a laptop computer which she needed during her final year of school.

“I didn’t have one and to go through the HSC and I needed that to succeed. I ended up getting a 95 ATAR,” Ms Harry said.

“I couldn’t afford it coming from a single-income home. My cousin also got a grant for school uniforms. Coming from disadvantaged backgrounds it’s fantastic - they’re really helping out the community.”

Ms Harry said she would “strongly encourage local kids from all schools to apply for the grant and get involved.”

“I’ve made some lifetime friends out of the whole thing, with Rotarians and with Trust recipients,” she said.

Ms Harry is now studying a double degree at Western Sydney University, and later this year she will host the official dinner where recipients receive their grant money.

“I was school captain at Colo [High School] when I heard about the Trust from one of my teachers,” she said, adding that students should approach their school for an entry form.

“When you fill out the form there are different categories to apply for the grants. I used mine to buy school resources but you can get it for sporting [for example] - one kid got it for going overseas to dance.”

The Trust has $12,000 to give out this year. Applicants must be under 21, and applications close on Friday, August 31.

Those who have been successful will be notified in late September and payments will then be made available in October.