TWO local charities in Bolton and Bury will benefit from a raffle to be held at the forthcoming Bolton and Bury Business Awards.

Horwich-based Kidz2gether and Bury Cancer Support Centre are both deserving charities who have plans for any windfall they receive.

Kidz2gether is organised by parents of children with autistic spectrum disorder and the group provides a variety of groups and one-off events which give children and young people with ASD social and leisure opportunities.

The group, part-funded by donations, organises clubs and groups, drop-ins and workshops which are age and ability appropriate for children and young people aged five years to 16 with autistic spectrum disorder.

Activities include football, swimming, trampolining, gymnastics, horse riding, snooker, arts and crafts, go-karting, multi-sport and outings.

Outreach manager Stephanie Sherratt said any donations will be used to fund the summer activity programme.

She said: “We organise all kinds of activities for the children — whatever they want we somehow find the money to do it.

“Any money we receive we will use to pay for coaching or organising activities they want — we don’t turn anybody away.”

At the Bury Cancer Support Centre in St James Avenue, Bury, volunteers offer all kinds of essential support for cancer patients, their immediate families, and their carers.

This support includes complementary therapies, counselling, an information centre, and workshops on topical subjects for patients which give help and advice with aspects of coping with cancer and general well-being.

All treatments and workshops are free but as the centre is run on donations, these are appreciated and any money raised at the awards evening will be used to fund its existing activities.

Therapist and volunteer John Taylor has been working at the centre for the last three years said: “All our money comes from donations — we get no official funding whatsoever. With any extra money, we would like to buy some proper portable screens so there is more privacy when therapies are carried out.”