An Ellesmere Port-based charity which supports vulnerable young people through a range of educational programmes and initiatives has had a £38,000-plus boost to its funds thanks to a charity golf day organised by M&S Bank.

Last year the bank, which has headquarters in the borough, committed to raising £75,000 through its golf day over three years to support the Youth Federation’s Sustain project.

The project has been developed to help save and support valued youth clubs across Cheshire, Halton, Wirral and Warrington currently at risk of closure due to a lack of funds.

Since 2013, the bank has raised £79,233 for the organisation, whose home is in the Rossmore Business Village, Inward Way, surpassing its target after only two years. This has enabled the charity to increase the number of clubs it supports from 60 to 600.

Chris Hindley, chief executive at the Youth Federation, said: “Youth clubs provide a much valued support network for so many young people, but unfortunately a vast number of these groups are at risk due to a lack of funding.

“The money raised by M&S Bank has gone a long way towards providing a lifeline for 600 youth clubs and will help the Youth Federation to support the volunteers that are so vital to keeping these groups going.”

The fundraising event, which attracted nearly 100 golfers to a championship course at Southport, was attended and supported by M&S Bank employees, as well as partners and suppliers of the bank plus charity representatives.

Sue Fox, chief executive officer at the bank, which has raised more than £330,000 for local causes since the yearly sporting event started in 2006, said: “The Youth Federation is doing some fantastic work to help young people in the local community.

“We’re delighted that through our annual charity golf day we’ve been not only been able to help them continue this good work by supporting the Sustain project but we’ve done it earlier than anticipated.”