STAFF at Bolton Wanderers have handed over £10,000 to a charity for homeless youngsters.

The cheque was presented to Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme before last weekend’s game against Preston North End.

The cash was raised through sales of the club's limited edition third shirt in memory of those who lost their lives in the Burnden Park Disaster 70 years ago.

A total of £10 from the sale of each of the 1,000 shirts will go directly to the charity.

Phil Mason, club chaplain and head of Bolton Wanderers Community Trust, said: “It was great to have the commemorative shirt supporting a local charity, especially one which was chosen by the club’s fans. We were delighted to donate £10,000 to what is a very worthy charity – for them to be able to receive that for the great work that they do is completely deserved.

“They help a number of youngsters across the borough of Bolton and hopefully these funds will go a long way in helping them support more people in need.”

Set up in 1992 to meet the needs of single young homeless people in Bolton, Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme runs in partnership with other agencies including housing associations and registered social landlords.

In total, the charity look after 96 homeless young people at any one time across supported tenancies, lodgings and two other schemes. It give assistance with keeping a tenancy, basic life skills, making benefit claims and identifying employment or further education prospects.

They also aim to help their residents move into permanent accommodation of their choice and agree a support package with each resident, which is tailored to their individual need.

For more information on BYPHS, please visit the website at www.byphs.org.uk.