HOMELESS young people will benefit from a £10,000 donation thanks to bakery giant Warburtons.

The Bolton bakers has awarded the cash to Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme to help extend the services it offers to 16-25 year olds experiencing homelessness.

The charity, which aims to prevent homelessness among young people, will use the donation to improve the service provided to under 18s at its Castle House centre.

Maura Jackson, CEO at Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme said: “I am thrilled with this continued support from Warburtons but this time for something new.

“The Castle House project is a lifeline for young people aged 16 and 17 who are homeless and very often the only thing standing in the way of rough sleeping, exploitation, danger and harm.

“To have the resources to stay open at weekends gives the youngsters a literal lifeline, food, shelter, safety and support plus much more.

“To have Warburtons backing us in this way shows our young people that businesses big and small recognise their struggles and want to help. It’s amazing.”

The project, Castle Weekenders, is aimed at reducing the risk of harm to young people by giving them a safe space to spend time at weekends.

Almost 100 teenagers spend time living at Castle House each year, with many also receiving emotional and practical support, to help them to live independently in the community.

Castle Weekenders will provide access to safe shelter, care, food, laundry and a space to enjoy down-time.

Ultimately, the project aims to help break the cycle of homelessness by providing sustained support to young people, keeping them off the streets.

This is the third donation given to the charity by Warburtons as part of its Families Matter programme.

Over the last three years, Warburtons has also helped BYPHS to successfully set up its drop in service.

Brett Warburton, executive director at Warburtons said: “We are delighted to support the Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme for the fourth year running.

“As a family business ourselves, we place a high value on family and strive to support our local communities.

“This initiative – and the broader work of the charity – are a great example of support being delivered directly to local people, tackling a major issue facing the community.

“We look forward to hearing how the project progresses.”

Warburtons donates more than £300,000 in grants to community groups each year.