A RUNCORN charity is set to start 2017 with a funding boost thanks to the Runcorn and Widnes World.

Each year the newspaper's parent company Gannett hands out grants through its foundation trust in support of good causes in communities across the country.

And this year it was decided the Canal Boat Adventure Project should be awarded a cheque for £1,850.

The organisation provides purpose-built canal boats for youth groups and schools, as well as services for young people and boat trips for isolated older residents.

It also works with young people from the poorest wards in Halton, focusing on enabling young people to develop strategies to address educational, social, cultural and health deprivation.

The much-needed funding will be used to replace the cushions used as beds on one of the residential boats where youngsters sleep, along with replacement lights and six life jackets.

Finance officer Valerie Robertson, who was presented with the Gannett grant cheque from World editor Hayley Smith, said: "We rely entirely on donations like this, we are a non-profit making charity and the boats cost a lot to run.

"The cushions have been subjected to a great deal of wear and tear over the years and the life jackets are used by our volunteer steerers so are essential.

"Funding such as this is the only way we can keep the boats going, so we are very grateful."

Groups who missed out on grants this time round are invited to keep an eye out for the next round of Gannett Foundation grants, which will be announced later next year.

Last year Halton Haven Hospice, in Barnfield Avenue, Murdishaw, was awarded almost £10,000 from the charitable arm of Gannett to buy two specialist state-of-the-art beds.