A BUMPER cheque for almost £10,000 was an added Christmas bonus for a Bolton charity.

Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme, which offers accommodation for young homeless people, was awarded £9,900 from the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of Gannett which owns the Bolton News’ publisher Newsquest Media Group.

The charity which celebrates its 25th anniversary, looks after 16-25 year-olds and helps get them off the streets by offering accommodation at one is 100 bed units across Bolton. The grant was one of the biggest the foundation has awarded in Bolton.

Maura Jackson the chief executive, said the money will pay for beds and would ‘plus a massive hole’ in the organisation’s funding. The charity faces a £139,000 funding gap as two grants came to an end.

Ms Jackson said: “It is a fantastic Christmas present.” The Editor of The Bolton News, Ian Savage, handed over the cheque.

The money will buy more beds which young people, who can stay with BYPHS for 12 months, can take with them when they find permanent accommodation.

Ms Jackson added: “The money is literally the difference between having a bed and not having a bed. Having a bed gives a young person a sense of ownership and home. It’s the first step on the ladder and they can begin to feel pride in what they are doing. “

In the last 10 years, the Gannett Foundation has given grants in the UK totalling nearly £4 million.