A CHARITY has received a cash boost of £60,000 to help its work supporting families with young children over the next three years.

Home Start St Helens was given the money from The Morgan Foundation, an organisation set up in 2001 by Steve Morgan, aimed at helping charities across North Wales, Merseyside, west Cheshire and north Shropshire.

Last year Home Start St Helens helped 42 families and there is always a waiting list of people wanting one-on-one support from its team of 30 volunteers. Home visits offer practical and emotional support such as mentoring and help with cooking skills, household tasks and budgeting.

Julie Smith scheme manager at Home Start St Helens said: "This funding is a life line for us. Funding cuts were putting us under ever increasing pressure. Thanks to the Morgan Foundation we can continue to make a difference to the people we help."

The cash was handed over by Ashley Lewis, a trustee of the foundation, who said: "We were greatly impressed by Home Start St Helens. The charity obviously gives an excellent level of support to families who would otherwise struggle.

"We hope our grant will enable them to continue this good work."

To contact Home Start St Helens call Julie Smith on 01744 737400.