DISADVANTAGED youngsters are set to benefit from a big cash windfall.

Bolton-based charity The Sycamore Project, which runs Zac’s Youth Bars, has received two grants totalling more than £425,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.

The cash will be used to support 1,830 children and young people in Farnworth and South East Bolton over the next four years.

The grants will support a programme of weekly activities aimed at equipping young people for the future.

Some of the specific activities already planned included stand-up comedy workshops, healthy cooking lessons and a business master class.

The grant will also fund the recently launched Healthy Minds project, a listening service which provides youngsters with advice on mental health issues.

Matt Moreton, CEO of the Sycamore project, said: “We could not continue to reach out to the young people in Bolton without the support of funders such as The Big Lottery Fund, and our amazing team of staff and volunteers.

“This grant will help us to change the lives of even more young people and give them the support they need at a time when support is needed most.”

Both grants have been allocated by The Big Lottery Fund.

A grant of £10,000 from the Awards for All pot will pay for the Healthy Minds Project.

But the majority of the money will come from the Reaching Communities fund.

About £40,000 will be spent on improving facilities and equipment at the charity’s base in Farnworth.

And the remainder will pay for specialist activity leaders, as well as staff wages and general overheads over the four year period.

Mr Moreton added: “I want to say a big thank you to the community of Bolton who have always dug deep to offer support over the last 17 years.

“With this grant we hope to build on this support and to strengthen our relationship with the local community, local churches, community groups and businesses.

“Together we can build a charity that benefits young people not just for the next four years but for as long as it is needed.”