FOUR Halton charities have each been given a massive cash boost thanks to donations from one of Widnes' longest running community groups.

Halton Haven Hospice, Halton Autistic Family Support Group, Halton Voluntary Action and Widnes Fellow-ship Centre all received cash sums of £35,000 from the West Bank Community Association.

It was revealed in the Weekly News two weeks ago that the association was closing due to the lack of new committee members, forcing the closure and sale of its outward bound centre in Rhydtalog, North Wales.

The money generated from the sale was distributed among the four charities.

Presentation of the cheques was made on Tuesday, June 12, at Widnes RUFC.

Ciaran Shanahan, of HAFS, said: 'One of our members, Andrew Bate, and his mum, Sandra, received the cheque on behalf of our organisation along with Mike Fry our chairman.

'The money will be used to start off the building fund account for the Autism Centre of Excellence that HAFS is going to build in Halton.'

Gene Argent, West Bank Community Association works co-ordinator said: 'It's unfortunate we are closing down, but it is a real bonus that we are able to give away this money.'