A COMMUNITY group has been handed a £3,500 cash boost by a policing charity.

New Bury Vision works out of the New Bury UCAN Centre, in George Street, Farnworth, to offer support for vulnerable people in the area.

However, while searching for funding they were advised by Farnworth PCSO Derek Thomas about the Greater Manchester High Sheriff's Policing Trust, a lesser-known organisation which offers charity grants.

After applying for funding, organisers were surprised to find out they had been chosen by the charity and would be getting £3,500 to go towards community work.

Carol Barnett, project officer at Bury UCAN, said the group were extremely pleased by the support.

She said: "It's fantastic to be given this money, it's such a good help for the group to receive that. We didn't even know the Sheriff's Fund was there.

"There's so many voluntary organisations out there and they're all competing for funding."

She added: "Derek told us about this funding that was available through the High Sheriff and emailed the application form but we were surprised to actually be chosen."

The High Sheriff’s Police Trust is a partnership of individuals, companies and voluntary agencies that aim to make a contribution to the region by supporting projects that reduce crime and the fear of crime in communities.

The money is expected to be used to provide a covered outdoor seating area at the UCAN Centre.

It will also fund programmes and courses to build useful employment skills, reduce social isolation and assist in getting people back into jobs.