BURY'S community champions have received a cash boost to their coffers.

Ten local groups have scooped a share of more than £51,000, courtesy of the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester's local network fund awards.

This fund, managed by the Foundation, supports local voluntary and community groups helping young people.

Bury Women's Aid, which deals with victims of domestic violence, has received around £6,000. The organisation provides temporary, safe accommodation to women and children fleeing violence in the home.

The cash award will go towards a new programme which will enable children and young people to regularly access community facilities. In addition to giving them an outlet for their emotions, the project will be an opportunity for them to have fun and relax with their peers.

Bury Women's Aid project manager Marie Thomasson said: "We are extremely grateful for this award which will allow us to support children and young people in accessing facilities outside the refuge. Obviously, these children have witnessed domestic violence and our project will enable them to rebuild their lives and to having some activity outside our support services."

Among the other Bury groups which have benefited is Streetwise 2000, a project which offers a diverse range of services to youngsters with a variety of health and social problems.

Declining to reveal the exact amount of cash received, Streetwise 2000 support worker Nigel Overbury said: "With the money, we've bought computers for basic computer skills for members and for anyone else who feel they can benefit from extra support. It will enable them to have confidence of gaining basic knowledge so they can access college courses next year."

Streetwise also runs drop-in sessions for young people on Wednesday and Sunday evenings at the Young Persons Information Centre on The Rock, Bury. And Streetwise, which has recently become a registered charity, also hopes to have its own website up-and-running soon.

The other Bury groups which have received funding are: Deal and Pimhole Tenants and Residents' Association; New Life Church; Bury Autistic Summer School; New Springs Project; Brandlesholme Playscheme; Footsteps Playgroup; Topping Fold and Fairfield Tenants' and Residents Association and Bury Refugee Community Support Group.

Community Foundations are run by an independent board of trustees and funds are normally set up through an agreed series of donations. They make it easier and more satisfying for individuals and companies to support community projects in their areas by managing bespoke charitable funds set up on their behalf.

Meanwhile, the Community Foundation is looking for 100 businesses in Greater Manchester to donate £5,000 a year to become a founder keyholder. In return, they will become a major shareholder in the delivery of more than £2.5 million of grants to the area's community and voluntary sector.

Interested Bury companies can contact the Foundation on 0161 214 0940.